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THE 

BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC 



COMPILED FEOM THE 



National and Colonial Histories and Historical Collections, 

from the American Archives and from Memoirs, 

and from the fournals and Proceedings 

of the British Parliament 



by/ 

DANIEL PyaOODLOE 



CONTAINING 

TnE Resolutions, Declarations, and Addresses adopted by the Continental 

Congress, the Provincial Congresses, Conventions and Assemblies, 

of the County and Town Meetings, and the Committees of 

Safety, in all the Colonies, from the Year 1765 to 1776 

TO WHICH is added 

'J'ltF. Articles of Confederation, a History of the Formation and Adoption 

(jf the Constitution, the Election of President Washington, his 

Inauguration, April 30. 17S9, a Copy of the Constitution, 

AND Washington's Inaugural Speech 



Mil 261889 



ir-lG 



Chicago, Kew Yokk, and San Fkancisco 
BELFORD, CLAEKE AND COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 



\ 



Copyright, 1889, 

BY 

DANIEL R. GOODLOE. 






INTRODUCTION. 



That the American Colonies were destined to become in- 
dependent of Great Britain, and that the occurrence of the 
event was only a question of time, was foreseen nearly a 
century before it came to pass. Lord Mansfield, in his 
speech in the House of Lords, on the Duke of Grafton's mo- 
tion for an address to the Kins, November 15, 1775, makes 
this fact clear by the following statement, which at the 
same time exhibits tlie sliop-keeping narrowness and illibe- 
rahty of his own mind. He says : 

"The bad consequences of planting Northern Colonies 
were early predicted. Sir Josiah Child foretold, before the 
Revolution [the English Revolution of 1688-'89], that they 
would, in the end, prove our rivals in power, commerce, and 
manufactures. Davenant, adopting the same ideas, foresaw 
what has since happened : he foresaw that, whenever Amer- 
ica found herself of sufficient strength to contend with the 
mother-country, she would endeavor to form herself into 
a separate and independent State. This has been the con- 
stant object of New England almost from her earliest in- 
fancy. Their struggles in the reign of King William com- 
pelled that Prince to recall their former charter and give 
them a new one, and, towards the conclusion of his reign, 
to get an act passed that no law enacted in the Colonies 
should be valid, if contrary to any law at the time ex- 
isting in England. Those disputes scarce subsided from 
that day to this. I remember, in 1733, Mr. Talbot (after- 
wards counsellor) proposed a set of Resolutions, in the 
House of Commons, in which the nature of the disputes 
then subsisting were directly pointed at, and similar doc- 
trines to those maintained at present by the British Parlia- 
ment fully asserted." 

This citation from the speech of Lord Mansfield demon- 
strates the truth that a man may be a great lawyer, and at 
the same time be a very narrow-minded statesman — that he 
may be profoundly learned in the laws, and be pre-eminently 
fitted to expound them, without having the slightest qualifi- 
cation to make laws. Here, to the westward of the Atlantic 
Ocean, lay a continent all untilled, and almost unpeopled. 
Lord Mansfield would have suffered it to remain in a state 



4 INTRODUCTION. 

of perpetual barbarism, and have doomed his countrymen 
at home for all time to all the inconveniences of an over- 
crowded, starving condition, for fear that at some remote 
day the colonists of the New World might assert their inde- 
pendence and become the commercial and manufacturing 
rivals of Great Britain. His legtd loi-e and ti-aining failed to 
convey to his mind the thought that the growth of the 
Colonies in wealth and population, and the development of 
commerce and manufactures among them, must redound to 
the advantage of the mother-country. And beyond the con- 
sideration of profit to Great Britain, he seems never to have 
permitted his wandering thoughts to stray; but, with the 
genuine shop-keeping dread of competition, he would have 
suifered half the earth to go unpeopled lest he might inad- 
vertently raise up a commercial rival to his own httlc island. 
Ill the same speech, liis lordship goes on to say : 
" I do not think that America complains of particular in- 
juries, so much as she does of the violation of her rights. 
If I do not mistake, in one place the Congress sum up the 
whole of theii* grievances in the passage of the Declaratory 
Act, which asserts the supremacy of Great Britain, or the 
power of making laws for America in all cases whatsoever. 
This is the true bone of contention. They positively deny 
the right, not the n\ode of exercising it. They would allow 
the King of Great Britain a nominal sovereignty over them, 
but nothing else. They would throw off the dependency on 
the Crown of Great Britain, but not on the pereon of the 
King, whom they w^oidd render a cipher. In fine, they 
would stand in relation to Great Britain as Hanover now 
stands, or, more properly speaking, as Scotland stood to- 
wards England previous to the treaty of Union. His lord- 
ship then went into a variety of detailed reasonings to 
show that the views of America were directed to inde- 

Eendence ; that Great Britain could not concede without re- 
nquishing the Avhole, which he supposed was not intended; 
and that, consequently, any measure of conciliation, in the 
present situation of affairs and the declared intentions of 
America, would answer no end but fui-nishing her with 
grounds to erect new claims on, or to hold out terms of 
pretended obedience and submission." 

It is not true, as stated by Lord Mansfield, that America 
aimed at independence; and of the contrary truth an 
abundance of evidence is fuiniished in this compilation. 
That the tendency of events was necessarily towards inde- 
pendence, will be conceded: but, on the other hand, the 
question arises as to which party was giving the greatest 
momentum to that tendency ; and the answer to the ques- 
tion will depend upon the bias of the mind. To all men 
who sympathize with our ancestors in their struggle for 
liberty and independence, it is clear that the short-sighted 



INTRODUGTIOK 5 

selfishness and arbitrary pride of spirit of the British Tories 
precipitated the war, and made a Declaration of Independ- 
ence a necessary measure of defence. To the man of Tory 
sympathies, it is equally clear that the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence was premeditated and planned by ambitious dema- 
gogvies, who took that method of getting the control of 
affairs into their own hands. 

But the objection to this latter statement is that the haz- 
ards were too great to be encountered by demagogues, for 
the sake of office. Demagogues, by their very -nature, as 
the term implies, are a pliant, accommodating race ; and are 
prone to yield to circumstances, rather than conquer them. 
It has been well said that the same elements of character 
which constitute the demagogues in a popular government 
enter into and make up the courtier under a monarchy. The 
men who led our armies to victory during the Revolution, 
and who framed our free constitutions and laws, were, many 
of them, foremost in the esteem of the rulers of Great Britain 
before they thought of resistance. All the older officers of 
the army had served with honor under the King, and their 
names were held in high respect at court. Franklin was 
Postmaster-general of the Colonies; and hundreds besides 
him were in high favor as civilians. They had therefore no 
occasion to revolt and set up a new form of government in 
order to secure the offices. By their heroic self-sacrifice, by 
their courage and perseverance in what for years seemed 
an almost hopeless enterprise, and by the wisdom displayed 
on the tented field and in the council, they gained, among 
friends and foes the world over, the highest reputation for 
virtue. The idea of such men being actuated by a low ambi- 
tion to secure placas for themselves is therefore simply pre- 
posterous. 

It is undoubtedly true that the government of Great Brit- 
ain practised great injustice towards the Colonists by send- 
ing over profligate younger sons and the abandoned min- 
ions of the courtiers to fill the high offices ; but bad as this 
system was, it was not the direct cause of the Revolution. 
It certainly tended to produce revolt, by interposing, 
between the mother country and the Colonies, a class of 
pimps and spies, whose policy it was to make themselves 
acceptable at home by misrepresenting the state of things in 
America, and by favoring every arbitrary measure of min- 
istry. But it was those arbitrary measuras that produced 
the rupture ; and not the unworthy instruments of admin- 
istration. 

America made a successful rebellion at a time when the 
population was not above three millions. How idle the no- 
tion, then, that Great Britain could continue long to rule 
these colonies, inhabited by a free, energetic race which 
doubles in number four times in a century ! 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE STAMP ACT—THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS OF 1765. 

The following account of the Continental Convention of 
1765, which met in New York, is fi-ora the fifth volume of 
"Bancroft's History of the United States:" 

" On Monday, the 7th of October, delegates chosen by the 
House of Representatives of Massachi;setts, Rhode Island, 
Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and South Carolina; 
delegates named by a written requisition from the individual 
representatives of Delaware and New Jersey ; and the legis- 
lative Committee of Correspondence of New York, — met at 
New York in Congress. New Hampshire, though not present 
by deputy, yet agreed to abide by the result ; and they were 
gladdened during this session by the arrival of the express- 
messenger from Georgia, sent near a thousand miles by 
land, to obtain a copy of their proceedings." 

It is proper to explain, in this place, that North Carolina 
was not represented in this general congress of the Colonies, 
for the reasoii that the Assembly was not in session at any 
time after the proposition of Massachusetts to call such a 
body. Rumors having reached the province in the spring, 
that the Stamp Act had been passed by Parliament and ap- 
proved by the King, the same spirit of opposition to its en- 
forcement was manifested in all the jDrincipal towns of North 
Carolina that had been exhibited in the northern Colonies ; 
and this caused the Lieutenant-governor, Tryon, to prorogue 
the Assembly from May until November, lest that body might 
give expression to the popular feeling, as it undoubtedly 
would have done. See "Martin's History of North Caro- 
lina," vol. 2, pages 193 and 195. 

Mr. Bancroft continues: 

" The members of this first union of the American people 
were elected by the representatives of the people of each 
separate Colony. While they formed one body, their power 
was derived from indej^endent sources. Each of the Colonies 



8 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

existed in its individuality ; and notwithstanding great differ- 
ences in their respective pop idation and extent of territory, 
as they met in Congress they recognized each other as 
equals," without tlio least claim of i^re-eniinence, one over 
the other. 

"The Congress entered directly on the consideration of 
the safest groundwork on which to vest the collective Amer- 
ican liberties. Should they build on charters, or on material 
justice ? on precedents and fact or abstract truth ? on special 
privileges or universal reason ? Otis was instructed by Bos- 
ton to support, not ordy the liberty of the Colonies, but also 
chartered rights. Johnson, of Connecticut, submitted a 
paper, which pleaded chrirters from the Crown, but Robert 
R. Livingston, of New York, ' the goodness of whose heart 
set him above prejudices, and equally comprehended all 
mankind,' would not place the hope of America on that 
foundation; and Gadsden, of South Carolina, giving utter- 
ance to the wariu impulses of a brave and noble nature, 
spoke against it with irresistible impetuosity. ' A confirma- 
tion of our essential and common rights as Enghshmen,' 
thus he himself reports his sentiments, ' may be pleaded 
from charters safely enough; but any fia-ther dependence 
upon them may be fatal. We should stand upon the broad 
common ground of those natural rights that we all feel and 
know as men, and as descendants of Englishmen. I wish the 
charters may not ensnare us at last, by drawing different 
Colonies to act differently in this cause. Whenever that is 
the case, all will be over with the whole. There ought to 
be no New England man, no New Yorker, known on the 
continent, but all of us Americans.' 

"These views pre vailed ;. and in the proceedings of the 
Congress, the argument for American liberty from royal 
grants was avoided. This is the first great step toward'in- 
dependence. Dummer had pleaded for Colony charters; 
Livingston, Gadsden, and the Congress of 1765 provided for 
American's self-existence and union by claiming rights that 
preceded charters, and would survive their views. 

" And how far would that Union extend ? What nations 
would be included in the name of Amei-ieans ? The meni- 
ber.-3 of that Congress believed themselves responsible for the 
liberties of the continent; and even while they were delib- 
erating, the vast prairies of Illinois, the great eastern valley 
of the Mississippi, with all its rivers gushing from the Alle- 
ghanies, with all its boundless primeval forests spreading 
from the mountain tops to the allu\ial margin of the mighty 
stream, with all its solitudes, in whicli futurity would sum- 
mon the eager millions of so many tongues to build happy 
homes, passed from the sway of France into the temporary 
custody of England. 



THE BiBTIt OF THE REPUBLIC. 9 

"The conduct of America was regulated l)y the Congress 
at New York. Thof-e v/lio compose it, said Gage, are of 
various characters and opinions ; but in general, the spirit 
of democracy is strong among them, sapi)orting the inde- 
pendence of the provinces as not subject to the legislative 
power of Great Britain. The question is not of the inexpe- 
diency of the Stamp Act, but that it is unconstitutional, 
and contrary to their rights." No Colony was better repre- 
sented than South Carolina. Her delegation gave a chief or 
two of the three great committees, and in all that was done 
well, her mind visibly appeared. 

"The difficult task of defining the rights and 'setting 
forth the Hberty' v»rhich America 'ought to enjoy,' led the 
Assembly to debate for two weeks on ' liberty, privileges, 
and prerogative.' In these debates, Otis, of Boston, himself 
the father of the Congress, displayed great knowledge of the 
interests of America, and assisted to kindle the fires which 
afterwards lighted the country on to freedom. 

" It was proposed to ' insist upon a repeal of all acts laying 
duties on trade, as well as the Stamp Act.' ' if we do not 
make an explicit acknowledgment of the power of Britain 
to regulate our trade,' said the too gentle Livingston, 'she 
will never give up the point of internal taxation.' But he 
was combatted with great heat, till at last the Congi-ess, by 
the hand of Rutledge, of South Carolina, erased from the 
declaration of rights the unguarded concession; and the^ 
restricictions on American commerce, though practically' 
acquiesced in, were enumerated as grievances. 

" Still Gadsden and Lynch were not satisfied. With vig- 
oi'ous dialectics, they proceeded, from a denial of the power 
of Parliament in America, to deny the propriety of approach- 
ing either House with a petition. ' The House of Commons,' 
reasoned Gadsden, with the persevering earnestness of con- 
viction, 'refused to receive the addresses of the Colonies 
when the matter was pending; besides, we neither hold our 
rights from them nor from the Lords.' But yielding to the 
majority, Gadsden suppressed his opposition; 'for,' said he, 
'union is most certainly all in all.' 

" The carefully considered docuinents in which the Con- 
gress embodied the demands of America, dwell mainly on 
the inherent right to trial by jury, in opposition to the ex- 
tension of the admii-alty jurisdiction, and the right to free- 
dom from taxation, except through the respective Colonial 
legislatures. These were promulgated in the Declaratory 
Eesolutions, with the further assertion that the people of 
the Colonies not only are not, but, from their local circum- 
stances, never can be, represented in the House of Commons 
in Great Britain ; that taxes never have been, nor never can 
be, coi-f^stitutionally imposed on the Colonies but by their 
respective legislatures ; that all supplies to the Crown are 



10 THE BIRTn OF THE REPUBLIC. 

free prifts; and thnt for the people of Groat Britain to grant 
the pi'operty of the Colonists "was noithej* reasonable nor 
consistent with the principles, nor with the spirit, of the 
British Constitution. The same immunities were claimed in 
the Address to the King, as ' essential principles, inherent 
rights and liberties,' of which the security was necessary to 
the ' most effectual connection of America with the British 
empire.' They also formed the theme of the Memorial to 
the House of Lords, mingled with complaints of the 'late 
restrictions on trade. ' 

"Having thus insisted on their rights in strong terms, the 
Congress purposely emi^loyed a different stylo in the address 
to the House of Commons, insisting chiefly on the disadvan- 
tages the new measure might occasion, as well to the mother- 
country as to the Colonies. They disclaimed for America 
the ' impracticable' idea of representation in any but Ameri- 
can legislatures. Acknowledging ' all due subordination to 
the Parliament of Great Britain,' and extolling the 'English 
Constitution as the most perfect form of government,' the 
source of 'all their civil and religious liberties,' they argued 
that, in reason and sound policy, there exists a material dis- 
tinction between the exercise of a Parliamentary jurisdiction 
in general acts of legislation for the amendment of the com- 
mon law or the regulation of trade through the whole em- 
ph'e, and the exercise of that jurisdiction by imposing taxes 
on the Colonies from which they therefore entreated to be 
relieved. 

" While the Congress were still anxiously engaged inweigh- 
ing eachword and i)hrasethey were to ad^pt, it was I'umored 
that a ship laden with stamps had arrived. . . . 

"On the morning of the 25th [October], the anniversary 
of the accession of George III., the Congress assembled for 
the last time, and the delegates of six Colonies, being empow- 
ered to do so, — namely, all the delegates from Massachusetts, 
except Ruggles ; all f i-om New Jersey, except Ogdon ; all those 
of Rhode Island; all of Penns3'lvania, excepting Dickinson, 
who was abi->3nt, but adhered; all of Delaw'are; and all of 
Maryland; with the virtual assent of New Hampshire, Con- 
necticut, New York, South Carolina, and Georgia, — set their 
hands to the papers, by Avhich the Colonies became, as they 
* expressed it, 'a bundle of sticks, which could neither be bent 
nor broken.''' 

To the foregoing general account of the proceedings of the 
Congi-ess, given by Mr. Bancroft, it is deemed proper to an- 
nex tlie following Declaration of Rights, which may be found 
in " Burke's History of Virginia:" 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 11 



DECLARATION OF RIGHTS. 

"The members of this Congress, sincerely devoted with 
the warmest sentiments of affection and duty to his Majesty's 
person and government, inviolably attached to the present 
establishment of the Protestant succession, and with minds 
deeply impressed with a sense of the present and impending 
misfortunes of the British Colonies on this continent, having 
considered as maturely as time will permit the circumstan- 
ces of said Colonies, esteem it our indispensable duty to 
make the following declarations of our humble opinion re- 
specting the most essential rights and liberties of the Colo- 
nists and of the grievances under which they labor by reason 
of several late acts of Parliament : 

" I. That his Majesty's subjects in these Colonies owe the 
same allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain that is owing 
from his subjects born within the realm, and all due sub- 
ordination to that august body, the Parliament of Great 
Britain. 

"II. That his Majestys' liege subjects in these Colonies are 
entitled to all the inherent rights and liberties of his natural- 
born subjects within the kingdom of Great Britain. 

" III. That it is inseparably essential to the freedom of a 
people, and the undoubted right of Englishmen, that no 
taxes be imposed on them but with their own consent, given 
personally or by their representatives. 

" IV. That the people of these Colonies are not, and, from, 
their local circumstances, cannot be, represented in the 
House of Commons of Great Britain. 

"V. That the only representatives of the people of these 
Colonies are persons chosen therein by themselves, and 
that no taxes ever have been, or can be constitutionally im- 
posed on them but by their own respective legislatures. 

"VI. That all supplies to the Crown, being free gifts of the 
people, it is unreasonable and inconsistent with the princi- 
ples and spirit of the British Constitution for the people of 
Great Britain to grant to his Majesty the property of the 
Colonists. 

"VII. That trial by jury is the inherent and invaluable 
right of every British subject in these Colonies. 

"VIII. That the late act of Parliament entitled "An act 
for granting and applying certain stamj^ duties, and other 
duties, in the British Colonies and Plantations, in America," 
etc., by imposing taxes on the inhabitants of these Colonies, 
and the said act, and several other acts, by extending tlae 
jurisdiction of the Courts of Admii-alty beyond its ancient 
limits, have a manifest tendency to subvert the rights and 
liberties of the Colonists. 

"IX. That the duties imposed by several late acts of Par- 
liament, from the peculiar circumstances of these Colonies, 



12 THE Binrn of tuk uepvelic. 

will be extremely burthensomo and pcrievons, and, from the 
scarcity of specie, the payment of them absolutely imprac- 
ticable. 

" X. That as the profits of the trade of these Colonies ulti- 
mately centre in Great Britain to pay for the manufactures 
which they are obliged to take from thence, they eventually 
contribute very largely to ail supplies granted there to the 
Crown. 

"XI. That the restrictions imposed by several acts of Par- 
liament, on the trade of tliese Colonies, will render them un- 
able to purchase the manufactures of Great Britain. 

"XII. That the increase, prosperity, and happiness of 
these Colonies depend on the full and free enjoyment of their 
rights and liberties, and an intercourse with Great Britain 
mutually affectionate and advantageous. 

" XIII. That it is the right of the British subjects in these 
Colonies to petition the King or either House of Parliament. 

"Lastly, that it is the indispensable duty of these Colo- 
nies, to the best of sovereigns, to the mother-country, and to 
themselves, to endeavor, by a loyal and dutiful address to his 
Majesty and humble applications to both Houses of Parlia- 
ment, to procure the repeal of the Act for Granting and Ap- 
plying Certain Stamp Duties, of all clauses of any other acts 
of Parliament whereby the jurisdiction of the Admiralty is 
extended as aforesaid, and of the other late acts for the re- 
striction of American Commerce." 

The Congress sent addresses to the King and to the House 
of Commons, which endeavor by argument and persuasion, 
rather than remonstrance, to induce a repeal of the obnox- 
ious acts of Parliament. 

]\Ir. Bancroft has explained that the action of this Congress 
was signed and approved by delegates from only six Colo- 
nies, the other delegates present not having authority; and 
it may be added that Virginia and North Carolina were not 
represented because theii- AssembUes w^ere not in session. 



MR. PITT'S SPEECH ON THE STAMP ACT. 

At the meeting of Parliament in January, 1766, the new 
administration of the Marquis of Rockingham, which had 
recently succeeded that of Grenville, exhibited signs of re- 
ceding from the policy of the Stamp Act, and several members 
spoke in manly strains in behalf of the ridits of the Colo- 
nists. Among these was the celebrated William Pitt, after- 
wards Earl of Chatham. His health was very feeble, and 
for a long time he had not appeared in the House ; but on 
this occasion lie said to bir^ friends: " My resolution is taken, 
and, if I can crawl or bo carried, I will deliver my mind and 
heart upon the state of America." In reply to the argument 



TEE BIRTH OF TUE REPUBLIC. 13 

of the friends of the Ministry in favor of the right and duty 
of imposing a tax on America, he said : 

' ' I speak not with respect to parties : I stand upon this place 
single, imsolicited, and unconnected. As to the late Minis- 
try," turning scornfully towards Grenville, " every capital 
measure they have taken is entirely wrong. To the present 
Ministry, to those at least whom. I have in my eye," look- 
ing at Conw\ay and the Lords of the Treasury, " I have no 
objection. Their characters are fair. But, pardon me, gen- 
tlemen, youth is the season of credulity ; confidence is a plant 
of slow growth in an aged bosom. By comi^aring even' 7 
with each other, reasoning fi'om effects to causes, methinks 
I discover the traces [referring to the Duke of New Castle] 
of over-ruling influences. 

"It is a long time," he continued, "since I have attended 
in Parliament. When the resolution was taken in the House, 
to tax America, I was ill in bed. If I could have endured to 
be carried in my bed, so great was the agitation of xwy mind 
for the consequences, I would have solicited some kind hand 
to have laid me down on this floor, to have borne my testi- 
mony against it. It is now an act that has passed. I would 
speak with decency of every act of this House, but I must * 
beg indulgence to speak of it with freedom. The subject 
of this debate is of greater importance than ever engaged 
the attention of this House, that subject only excepted 
when nearly a century ago, it was a question whether you 
yourselves were to be bond or free. The manner in which 
this affair will be terminated will decide the judgment of 
posterity on the glory of this kingdom, and the wisdom of 
its government, during the present reign. 

"As my health and life are so very infirm and precarious 
that I may not be able to attend on the day that may be 
fixed by the House for the consideration of America, I must 
now, though somewhat unseasonably, leaving the expedi- 
ency of the Stamp Act to another time, speak to a pomt of 
infinite moment, I mean, to the right. Some seem to have 
considered it as a point of honor, and leave all measures 
of right and wrong to follow a delusion that may lead 
us to destruction. On a question that may mortally wound 
the freedom of three millions of brave and virtuous subjects 
beyond the Atlantic Ocean, being neither really nor virtu- 
ally represented in Westminister, cannot be held legally, 
or constitutionally, or reasonably subject to obedience to 
any money bill of this kingdom. The Colonies are equally . 
entitled with yourselves to all the natural rights of mankind 
and the peculiar privileges of Englishmen; equally bound by 
the laws ; and equally participative of the Constitution of 
this free country. The Americans are the sons, not the bas- 
tards, of England ! As subjects, they are entitled to the% 
common right of representation, and cannot be bound to pay 



14 THE BTRTIl OF THE REPUBLIC. 

taxes without their consent. Taxation is no part of the 
governiiig power. The taxes, —a voluntary gift and grant of 
tlie commons alone. In an American tax, what do we do ? 
We, your Majesty's commons of Great Britain, give and 
grant to your Majesty — what, our own property ? No. We 
give and grant to your Majesty the property of your Majes- 
ty's C(jmmons in America. It is an absurdity in terms. 

"There is an idea in some that the Colonies are virtually 
represented in this House. They never have been repre- 
sented at all in Parliament; they were not even virtually 
represented at the time when this law, as captious as it is 
iniquitous, was passed to deprive them of the most inesti- 
mable of their privileges. I would fain know by whom an 
American is represented here ! Is he. represented by any 
knight of a shire in any county of this kingdom ? Would to 
God that respectable representation was augmented to a 
greater number. Or will you tell him that he is represented 
by any representative of a borough ? A borough which 
perhaps no man ever saw. This is what is called the rotten 
part of the Constitution. It cannot endure the century ! If 
tt does not drop, it must be amjjutated. The idea of a virtual 
representation of America in this House is the most con- 
temptible that ever entered into the head of a man. It does 
not deserve a serious refutation. 

"The commons of America, represented in their several 
Assemblies, have ever been in the possession of the exercise 
of this their Constitutional right of giving and granting their 
own money. They would have been slaves if they had not 
enjoyed it. 

"And how is the right of taxing the Colonies internally 
compatible with that of framing regulations, without num- 
ber, for their trade ? The laws of this kind which Par- 
liainent is daily making prove that they form a body sepa- 
rate from Great Bi'itain. While you hold their manufac- 
tures in the most sei^vile restraint, will you add a new tax to 
deprive them of the last remnhnts of their liberty ? This 
would be to plunge them into the most odious slavery, 
against which their charters should protect them. . . . 

" I never shall own the justice of taxing America inter- 
nally until she enjoys the right of representation." See 
American Archives. 

Mr. Pitt proceeded to claim for Great Britain the right to 
regulate the external trade of the Colonists, and to prohibit 
manufactui'ing — a doctrine not at all consistent with the gen- 
erous sentiments above quoted. In reply to GrenviUe, he 
again rose, and said : 

"Sorry I am to hear the liberty of speech in this House 
imputed as a crime. But the imputation shall not discour- 
age me; it is a liberty I mean to exercise. No gentleirKm 
ought to be afraid to exercise it. It is a liberty by which the 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 15 

gentleman who calumniates it might and ought to have 
profited. He ought to have desisted from his project. The^ 
gentlemen tells us America is obstinate— America is almost 
in open rebellion. I rejoice that America has i^esisted. [At 
the word says Bancroft, the whole House started as though 
their hands had been joined and an electric spark had darted 
through them all.] 

'' I rejoice that America has resisted. If its millions of in- 1 
habitants had submitted, taxes would soon have been laid on 
Ireland ; and if ever this nation should have a tyrant for its 
king, six millions of freemen so dead to all the feelings of 
liberty as voluntarily to submit to be slaves would be fit 
instruments to make slaves of the rest. . . . 

"The profits of Great Britain, from the trade of the Colo- 
nies, through all its branches, is two millions a year. This 
is the fund" that carried you triumphantly through the last 
war. The estates that were rented at two thousand pounds 
a year three-score years ago, are at three thousand pounds 
at present. You owe this to America. This is the price that 
America pays you for her protection." 

THE STAMP ACT. 

The Stamp Act was approved by commission, the King 
being iU, on the 22d March, 1765. When the news of its 
passage arrived in America, it everywhere awakened a 
spirit of resentment and indignation. The Virginia House 
of Burgesses was the first legislative body that took notice 
of it ; and although the resolutions adopted in May are tem- 
perate and cautious, they called forth denunciation of trea- 
son from the Tories against Patrick Henry, their author, and 
gave to that celebrated orator a splendid opportunity for 
the display of his Avonderful eloquence. But on another 
page a more full and detailed account is given of the pro- 
ceedings with reference to the Stamp Act, in Virginia. Its 
title was " An act for granting and applying stamp duties, 
and other duties, in the British Colonies and Plantations in 
America." It required tliat all legal pleadings, whether m 
the^courts of law or equity, or in the courts of probate or Ad- 
miralty Court, shoidd be written upon a stamped piece of 
vellum or parchment, or sheet or piece of paper, the stamp 
varying in cost with the importance or value of the instru.- 
ment. AH bills of lading, clearances, and such like instru- 
ments, must be on stamped vellum or paper. In a word, all 
sorts of legal instruments— such as deeds, conveyances, wills, 
bonds, commissions to persons appointed to office, and what- 
ever writing that had any legal character— must pay the 
stamp duty. The act had its origin in the following circular- 
letter from the Ene^hsh secretary for the Colonies: 

"Earl of Hahfax to his Majesty's Governors in North 



16 THE BIETIl OF THE REPUBLIC. 

America. To his Majesty's Governors in North America 
and the West Indian Islands: 

"Sirs: The House of Commons having, in the last ses- 
sion of Parhament, come to a resolution by which it is de- 
clared that, towards defraying the necessary expenses of 
defending, protecting, and securing the British Colonies and 
Plantations in America, it may be proper to charge certain 
stamp duties in the said Colonies and Plantations in America, 
it is his Majesty's pleasure that you should transmit to me, 
Avithout delay, a list of all instruments made use of in public 
transactions,— law proceedings, grants, conveyances, securi- 
ties of land or money, — within your government, with proper 
and sufficient descriptions of the same, in order that, if Par- 
liament should think proper to pursue the intention of the 
aforesaid resolution, they may thereby be enabled to carry 
it into execution in the most effectual and least burthensome 
manner. 

" If you should be unable, of yourself, to prepare a list of 
this kind with sufficient accuracy, you will in such case re- 
quire the assistance of his Majesty's Attorney-general, or the 
principal law officers of the Crown within your government 
who are the proi)er persons to be consulted, towards procur- 
ing the said information in the manner required. 

" I am, etc., 

"Dunk Halifax." 

"St. James', 11th August, 1764. 

MASSACHUSETTS. 

In Massachusetts, the Governor, in his message at the open- 
ing of the Assembly, made no allusion to the Stamp Act, but, 
says the historian Barry, " the House was not daimted," and, 
at the instance of Otis, voted at once that it was expedient 
there should be a " meeting, as soon as convenient, of com- 
mittees from tlie Houses in the several Colonies, to consult 
together on their present cix'cumstanc s, and the difficulties 
to which they were and must be reduced by the operation 
of the late acts of Parliament." This meeting was proposed 
to be held on the first Tuesday of October ; and circular-let- 
ters were drawn up to be sent as far south as South Carolina. 
The opposition of tlie Governor and of Mr. Hutchinson could 
not check these proceedhigs; and they were compelled to ac- 
quiesce in them with the best grace they could. Andrew 
Oliver, a brother-in-law of Hutchinson, who was then a 
chief justice, was aiipointed stamp-distributor for Massachu- 
setts; and immodiatly, we are told, ''the decree seemed to 
go forth that Boston should lead the Avay in the work of 
compulsion." The accession of William Pitt to office in 
July was hailed with tumultuous shouts of joy by the 
" Sons of Liberty," and gave a new impulse to the spirit of 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 17 

rebellion against the obnoxious law. " It was at once con- 
certed, therefore," says Barry, "to hang in effigy the obnox- 
ious distributor of stamps ; and on the morning of Wednes- 
day, the 14tli of August, the inhabitants of the southernly 
part of the town, as they passed to their business, saw, sus- 
pended from the out-stretched limb of a majestic elm long 
known as the 'Liberty Tree,' an effigy of Oliver, tricked 
out with the emblems of Bute and Grenville. The news 
spread like wildfire; and thousands collected to gaze on the 
spectacle. Hutchinson, as the chief justice, oi'dered the 
sheriff to remove the images; but the people interfered, 
expressing their determination to have them remain until 
evening. Governor Bernard summoned his Council to meet 
in the afternoon: but what could they do? A majority was 
opposed to taking any action ; and the minority was com- 
pelled to submit. 

"Toward evening the excitement increased; and the 
images were taken down, placed upon a bier, supported in 
procession by six men, and followed by an amazmg multi- 
tude through the streets to the Town-house. Here the crowd 
paused directly under the Council-chamber, and shouted, at 
the top of their voices, ' Liberty, property, and no stamps.' 
Three cheers were then given ; and the crowd moved on to 
Kelby Street, to Oliver's Dock, where a building was demol- 
ished, which, it was supposed, had been erected for a stamp 
ofiice. The fragments of this building were carried to Fort 
Hill, and a bonfire was made of them in front of Oliver's 
house, upon which the images were burned. 

" The spirit of resistance was fully aroused, and theory 
of the South was echoed at the North. ' The Stamp Act shall , 
never be executed here,' was the determination of the peo- 
ple. ' All the power of Great Britian shall not compel us to 
submit to it. We will die on the place first. We will spend 
our last blood in the cause. The man who offers a stamped 
paper to sell will be immediately killed.' It was to no 
purpose that Hutchinson directed an alarm to be sounded, 
and the military to be mustered ; for ' the drummers were in 
the mob.' Nor did his appearance in person, with the sheriff 
at his heels, cause the crowd to disperse. ' Stand by ' was 
the watchword ; and the baffled chief justice was compelled 
to flee. An hour before midnight, the throng repaired to the 
residence of the Governor, and, after three cheers, quietly 
dispersed. 

" The next day (August 15th), a proclamation was issued by 
the Governor, offering, a reward for the discovery of the of- 
fenders : but no one v/as disposed to act as informer ; and if • 
any were seized, 'the prisons,' said Mayhew, 'would not 
hold them many hours.' ' We have a dismal pi-ospect before 
us,' said Hutchinson. And he advised that a larger watch 
should be set at night ; but the motion w\as opposed, and the 



18 THE BIRTH OF THE JIEPUBLW. 

ordinary watch was not increased, ' If Oliver had been 
found last night,' said Bernard, niofully, ' he would actually 
have been murthored.' And Oliver inclined to the samcopin- 
ion. It wixs plainly intimated that, if he did not resign his 
office before night, his house would have been pulled down 
about his ears; and thoroughly convinced that it would be 
best to yield, he signed a paper expressing his wilUngness to 
throw up his commission. This satisfied the crowd, and at 
night a bonfire celebrated their victory. 

"Fur a short time there was quiet. But at length the dis- 
trust of the peo]>le fell upon Hutchinson, and, twelve days 
after Oliver had been hanged in effigy, the crowd assembled 
to pay him a visit. ' He is a prerogative man,' was the gen- 
eral cry. ' He grasps all the important offices in the state. 
He himself holds four offices, and his relatives six or seven. 
He had a principal hand in projecting the Stamp Act.' Such 
outcries wrought upon their inflammable spirits, and pre- 
pared them for deeds of greater violence. Their first act 
was to enter the office of Mr. Story, the de]nity registrar, 
opposite the north side of the Court-house, and burn the rec- 
ords of the Vice-admiralty Court; next they ravaged the 
house of Mr. Hallowell, the comptroller of the customs, sit- 
uated on Hanover Street; and then, hastening to the resi- 
dence of Hutchinson, in Gordon Court Street, and barely giv- 
ing his family time to escape, they split open the doors of his 
palatial mansion, destroyed his furniture, scattered his plate, 
threw his books and manusci-ipts into the street, ransacked 
his wine-cellar, and at daybreak left his house a ruin. 

" Governor Bernard w\as at the castle when these events 
occurred; but hastening to town the next day,he summoned 
the Council to meet immediately, to decide what should be 
done. Before that body met, inhabitants of Boston assem- 
bled in Faneuil Hall, and, deprecating the violent proceed- 
ings of the previous night, a series of resolutions was passed, 
desiring the selectmen to suppress the like disorders in the 
future, and pledging the assistance of the peo])le in the dis- 
charge of this duty. The Council advised a proclamation 
offering a i-eward of three hundred pounds for the detection 
of the ringleaders and one himdred pounds for other per- 
sons, and six or eight were apprehended; but the attempt 
to arrest one Mackintosh, in King Street, was resisted, and 
those who had been seized were speedily liberated. The 
popidar excitement was such that nothing could be effectu- 
ally done, and the government wns shorn of its usual 
strength. F"w even of the conservative citizens sympa- 
thized with the legislation which had awakened this resent- 
ment, and few wei-e disposed to int(nTupt the coin-se of 
events. Only so much restraint was therefore exercised as 
to prevent the passions of the multitude from, Qverleaping 



THE BIRTH OF TEE REPUBLIC. 19 

all bounds, and many rejoiced that the abettors of oppres- 
sion had been signally rebuked. " 

THE STAMP ACT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

Belknap, in his history of New Hampshire, after briefly 
recoiuiting the circumstances which led to the passage of 
the Stamp Act, says : 

" This direct and violent attack on our dearest privileges 
at first threw us into a silent gloom ; and we were at a loss 
how to proceed. To submit, was to rivet the shackles of 
slavery on ourselves and our posterity; to revolt, was to 
rend asunder the most endearing connection, and hazard 
the resentment of a powerful nation. In this dilemma, the 
House of Burgesses in Virginia passed some spirited re- 
solves, asserting the rights of their country and denying 
the claim of parliamentary taxation. The Assembly of Mas- 
sachusetts proposed a congress,of deputies from each Colony, 
to consult upon our common interests, as had frequently 
been practised in times of common danger. Several speeches 
made in Parliament by opposers of the Stamp Act were re- 
printed here; in one of which (that of Col. Barre), the Amer- 
icans were styled 'Sons of Liberty,' and the speaker ven- 
tured, from his personal knowledge of this country, to fore- 
tell our opposition to the act. 

" The spirit of the two Virginian resolves, like an electric 
spark, diffused itself instantly and universally; and the 
cautious proposal of Massachusetts was generally ap- 
proved. . . . 

"The person appointed distributor of stamps for New 
Hampshire was George Messerve, son of the late colonel, 
who died at Louisburg. He received his appointment in 
England, and soon after embarked for America and arrived 
at Boston. Before ho landed, he was informed of the oppo- 
sition which was making to the act; and that it would be 
acceptable to the people if he would resign, which he readily 
did, and they welcomed him on shore. An exhibition of 
effigies at Portsmouth had prepared the minds of the people 
there for his reception; and at his coming to town he made 
a second resignation, on the parade, before he went to his 
own house. This was accepted with the usual salutation ; 
and every one appeared to be satisfied with the success of 
the popular measures. Soon after, the stamped paper des- 
tined for New Hampshire arrived at Boston in the same 
vessel with that intended for Massachusetts; but there be- 
ing no person in either province who had any concern with 
it, it was, by order of Governor Bernard, lodged in the 
castle. 

"The Stamp Act was to commence its operation on the 
first day of November ; previously to which the appointed 



20 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

Congress was formed at New York, consisting of delegates 
from the Assemblies of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Con- 
necticut, New York, New Jersey, the Delaware counties, 
Maryland, and South Carolina. Having, like the Congress of 
17(j4, foruied themselves in geographictU order, thej' framed 
a bill of rights for the Colonies, in which the sole power 
*of taxation was declared to be in their own Asesmblies. 
They prepared three distinct addresses, to the King, Lords, 
and Commons, stating their grievances, and asking for re- 
dress. These were subscribed by the delegates of six Colo- 
nies ; the others who were present were not empowered to 
sign, but reported their proceedings to their constituents, who 
approved them in assembly, and forwarded their petitions. 
No delegates went from New Hampshire to this Congress ; 
but tlie Assembly, at their next meeting, adopted the same 
measures, and sent similar petitions to England, which they 
committed to Barlow Trecothick, tlieir agent, and John 
Wentworth, a young gentlemen of Portsmouth, who was 
then ill England, to be by them presented to the King and 
Parliament. . . . 

"On the last day of October (1765) the New Hampshire 
Gazette appeared with a mourning border. A body of peo- 
ple from the country approached the town of Portsmouth 
under an apprehension that the stamps would be distributed ; 
but being met by a number from the town, and assured that 
no such thing was intended, they quietly retunied. The 
next day the bells tolled, and a funeral procession was made 
* for the Goddess of Liberty ; but on depositing her in the 
grave, some signs of life were supposed to be discovered, 
and she was carried off in triumph. 'By such exhibitions, 
the spirit of the populace was kept up, though the minds of 
the most thoughtful persons wore filled with anxiety. 

" It was doubtful whether the courts of law could proceed 
without stamps ; and it was certain that none could be pro- 
cured. Some licentious persons began to think that debts 
could not be recovered, and that they might insult their 
creditors with impunity. On the first appearance of this 
disorderly spii-it, associations were foniied at Portsmouth, 
Exeter, and other j^laces, to support the magistrates and 
preserve the peace. The 5tb of November had always been 
observed as a day of hilarity, in remembrance of the pow- 
der-plot. On the following night a strong guard was kept 
in Portsmouth. By these precautions the tendency to riot 
was seasonably checked, and no waste of property or per- 
sonal insult was committed; though some obnoxious chai'ac- 
ters began to tremble for their safety. 

"When Messerve ar)-ived, the people supposed that he 
had brought his commission with him, anil were content 
that it should remain in his hands, being rendertsd void by 
his resignation. But in fact, he did not receive it till after 



THE BIRTH OF TEE EEPUBLIO. 21 

the time fixed for the operation of the act. Having shown 
his instructions to tlie Govei'nor, and some other public offi- 
cers, it was suspected that he intended to commence the ex- 
ecution of his office. The Sons of Liberty were alarmed; 
(this was January, 1766) ; they assembled by beat of drum, 
and obliged him publicly to deliver up his commission and 
instructions, which they mounted on the point of a sword 
and carried in triumph through the town. An oath was 
administered to him by Justice Claget, pm-porting that he 
would neither directly nor indirectly attempt to execute the 
office." 

THE STAMP ACT— RHODE ISLAND. 

Arnold's history of Rhode Island contains the following 
account of the action of the people of that Province, with 
reference to the Stamp Act. As has already been stated, 
the violent action of the Boston people occurred on the 14th 
and 15th of August, 1765. Those of New Hampshire began 
on the last day of October. 

The first public notice taken of the Stamp Act by the peo 
pie of Rhode Island was at a special town meeting in Prov- 
idence on the 7th August, " at which a committee was ap- 
pointed to draft instructions to their deputies in the Gen- 
eral Assembly. The following week they reported a series 
of resolutions very similar to those passed in Virginia, 
which were afterwards adopted by the General Assembly, 
with some additions, to which we shall presently refer. No 
overt act of violence occurred in Providence. In Boston, a 
mob attacked the house of Secretary Oliver, the stamp-dis- 
tributor, and compelled him to resign the office. An extra 
number of the Providence Gazette, which had been for some 
time suspended, was issued, with "Vox Populi, Vox Dei " 
in large letters above the title, and " Where the spirit of the 
Lord is, there is Liberty.— ^St. Paul" — as a motto. In 
this sheet the spirit of resistance manifested in Boston was 
extolled ; the instructions of the Pi'ovidence town meeting 
to their deputies were published, with extracts from Col. 
Barre's famous speech in Parliament, and from other Colo- 
nial papers against the Stamp Act. The resignation of Augus- 
tus Johnston, the Attorney-general, who had been appointed 
stamp-distributor for Rhode Island, was also announced in 
this extra; he refusing to execute his office against the will 
of " our sovereign lord, the people" (to use his own words). 
After referring to the conduct of the people of Boston, the 
historian continues: " At Newport, the demonstrations were 
equally violent. Effigies of three prominent citizens,* who 

* "Augustus Jobuston, Attorney-general of the Colony; Martin 
Howard, Jr., au eminent lawyer ; and Dr. Thomas Moilat, a Scotch 



22 THE BIRTU OF THE REPUBLIC. 

had incurred the popular odium by advocating the measures 
of Parliament, were drawn through the streets, hung on a 
gallows in front of the Court-house, and in the evening were 
cut down and burnt in the presence of assembled thousands. 
On the following day, the houses of these obnoxious persons 
were plundered by the mob, and they were compelled to flee 
for protection on board the Cygnet sloop of war, then lying 
in the harbor. The revenue officers, in fear for their hves, 
sought the same refuge and closed the Custom-house. They 
addressed a letter to the government, demanding protection, 
and refusing to resume their offices until security was guar- 
anteed to them. In tlie absence of the Governor, Gideon 
Wanton. Jr., of the Council, I'eplied, assuring the officers 
that all danger was passed, and inviting them to resume their 
duties. Tbis did not quiet their fears. They demanded a 
guard for their protection ; and also the arrest of Samuel 
Crandall, a ringleader of the rioters, who had dictated, as 
the terms upon which the collector might again set his feet 
on shore, that the Custom-house fees should be regulated ac- 
cording to the late act of Assembly, in defiance of an act of 
Parliament; and that a prize sloop, with molasses, under the 
guns of the Cygnet, awaiting the decision of an Adniirality 
Court at Halifax, should be restored. A daring plan for the 
capture of this prize was made knowii to Captain Leshr, of 
the Cygnet, and by him communicated to Governor Ward. 
It was intended to man a number of boats and take posses- 
sion of Fort George ; then, with the boats, to cut out the 
sloop, and in case of resistance from the Cygnet, to fire upon 
her from the fort. Had this attempt been made, either the 
Cygnet would have been sunk by the guns of the fort, and 
the Revolution have commenced, as it did a few years later 
in the same waters, or the town would have been destroyed. 
But better counsels for the time prevailed ; measures were 
taken to secure the fort, and harmony was shortly restored. 
The popular feeling was assuaged by a lawful and peaceful 
demonstration against the Stamp Act, such as had been 
made in Providence. The deputies were instructed by a 
town meeting to give their ' utmost attention to those im- 
portant objects— the Court of Admirality and the act for 
laying stamp duties '—at the approaching session of the As- 
sembly. Tliey were reminded that 'It is for liberty— that 
liberty for which our fathers fought; that liberty which is 
dearer to a generous mind than life itself— that we now con- 
tend. The cause is vast and important.' " 

On the 16th September, " one of the most important ses- 
sions ever held by the General Assembly was now convened 

phj'sician. The two latter returned to Euglaud. Howard was ap- 
pointed chief justice of North Carolina the next year, and Moffat, 
comptroller of customs at New London." 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 23 

at Grreenwich. The Governor was requested to issue a proc- 
lamation for the arrest of the recent rioters at Newport, and 
to prevent a recurrence of such disturbances," 

Instructions were prepared by a committee for their guid- 
ance, in which the loyalty of the Assembly to the King and 
Parliament are declared ; yet " they would assert their rights 
and privileges with becoming freedom and spirit," and the 
delegates are directed ' ' to express these sentiments in the 
strongest manner" in the representation and address pro- 
posed to be made by the Congress to the home government. 
This committee was composed of Othniel Gorton, Daniel 
Jenckes, and George Hazzard. Another committee, com- 
posed of Benjamin Green, Job Randall, William Hall, Moses 
Brown, and Henry Ward, was appointed to consider what 
is necessary to be done by this Assembly respecting the 
Stamp Act; and to report as soon as possible. "They 
presented a series of six resolutions, which," says Arnold, 
"like the previous acts of Ehod(^ Island, were more ener- 
getic and concise than any that had yet been adopted by the 
other Colonies, and pointed dii*ectly to an absolution of alle- 
giance to the British Crown unless the grievances were re- 
moved. Five of these were nearly in the terms of the in- 
structions given by the town of Providence to their deputies. 
The first four had ali'eady been passed in Virginia; and the 
fifth, which had been offered there by Patrick Henry, and 
passed by one vote, but was rescinded the next day, was 
adopted by the Providence town meeting, and unanimously 
passed by the Assembly, as expi"essing precisely the views 
they were determined to maintain. This denied the right 
of any power but the General Assembly to levy taxes upon 
the Colony, and absolved the people from obedience to any 
law, designed for that purpose, originating from any other 
source. To these the Assembly added a sixth, directing the 
officers of the Colony to proceed as usual in the execution of 
their trusts, and agreeing to save them harmless in so doing. 
This was bold legislation, but the temper of the times and 
the spirit of the Colony were correctly represented therein." 
See Arnold's History of Rhode Island, vol. 2, pp. 257-261. 

As it is proposed to include the Henry resolutions in their 
appropriate place under the head of Virginia, it is needless 
to insert them here. The sixth resolution adopted by the 
Rhode Island Assembly on this occasion is as follows : 

' ' 6. That all the officers of this Colony, appointed by the 
authority thereof, be, and they are hereby, directed to pro- 
ceed in the execution of their respective offices, in the same 
manner as usual. And that this assembly will indemnify 
and save harmless all the said officers on account of their 
conduct agreeable to this resolution." 

The Charter of Rhode Island authorized the people to 
choose their Governor; and this fact will account for the 



24 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

statement recorded by Arnold, that "Samuel Ward, the 
Governor of Rhode Island, stood alone in his patriotic re- 
fusal " to take the oath to sustain the Stamp Act. All the 
other Governors took the oath the day befoi-e the act was 
to go into effect. " But the people had already settled the 
question. The fatal day dawned uj^on a nation united in 
their determination of resistance. Not a .stamp was to be 
seen. The wheels of every govennnent in Amoi'ica were 
stopped at once. Commerce was crushed, law was annulled, 
justice was delayed, even the usages of domestic life were 
suspended, by this anomalous and terrible act. Not a ship 
could sail, not a statute could be enforced, not a coiu-t could 
sit, not even a marriage taken place, tliat was not in itself 
illegal, so far as the British Pai'liament could make it so; for 
every one of these acts required the evidence of stamped 
paper to establish its validity." 

But, "The ti-iumph over an unjust and unconstitutional 
act was complete in Rhode Island, Avhere, under the sixth 
resolution of the September Assembly, the judicial courts 
held their regular terms, unawed by the feeling which, in 
the other Colonies, suspended for a time that department of 
of their several governments," Arnold, pages 2G4, 205. 

"Organizations under the name of 'Sons of Liberty,' a 
term first applied to the Americans by Colonel Barre, in his 
famous speech against the Stamp Act, had sprung up in 
all the Colonies; but we believe that to Rhode Island was 
resei-ved the peculiar honor of initiating a similar order, 
composed of the gentler sex, known as * Daughters of Lib- 
erty.' Its origin is ascribed to Dr. Epln\aim Bo wen, at whose 
house eighteen young ladies, belonging to prominent families 
in Providence, assembled (March Ifi, 1766) by invitation, 
and employed the time from sunrise till evening in spinning. 
They resolved to purchase no more British manufactures 
unless the Stamp Act should be repealed, and adopted other 
resolutions, perhaps more patriotic than prudent, to accom- 

Elisli this desirable end. They were handsomely entertained 
y the doctor at dinner, but cheerfully agreed to omit tea 
at the evening meal to render their conduct yet more con- 
sistent. The association rapidly increased in numbers so 
that their next meeting was held at the Court-house. This 
was for the purpose of spinning a handsome piece of linen 
as a premium for the person who should raise the largest 
amount of flax during the year in the county of Providence. 
Thus the spii'it of resistance pervaded every portion of so- 
ciety ; and the determination to oppose the Stamp Act, even 
to ' the destruction of the union' of the Colonies with the 
motlier-country, was declared at a meetins: in Providence 
held ai this tinao." Arnold, page 266, vol. 2d. 

Tiie joy of the people, when news arrived of the repeal of 
the Stamp Act, was unbounded. In Providence, the anni- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 25 

versaiy of the King's birth was selected as a day of pubhc 
rejoicing, to attest at once the loyalty of the people and 
their love of liberty. 

CONNECTICUT. 

Connecticut was one of the earliest of the Colonies to 
protest against the Stamp Act. The press, the town meet- 
ing, and the pulpit united in a chorus of opposition, and 
roused the people to the point of resistance to its execution. 
Secret societies were framed with a view to resist the en- 
forcement of the act, by violence, if necessary. Governor 
Fitch, though he had exerted himself to prevent the passage 
of the law, " remained, with a portion of the Council, firm in 
the determination" to sustain it, much as they loathed it. 
•'Colonel Trumbull," says Hollister, "had been one of the 
first to decide upon a different course of acMon. Governor 
Fitch at last made the proposition, in open Council, that they 
should all take the oath in conformity with the Stamp Act. 
Tiumbull's eye flashed and, his cheek darkened with anger 
at the proposal. He refused to witness the hollow-hearted 
ceremony, and, rising indignantly, turned his back upon the 
Governor and walked out of the chamber, followed by a 
majority of the assistants. Only four members of the Coun- 
cil remained." 

The time had now arrived for action. Mr. IngersoU, hav- 
ing accepted the place of stampmaster, was determined to 
discharge its duties; still, he sought to conciliate his fellow- 
townsmen at New Haven, who for the most part were op- 
posed to the law. "The act is so contrived," he argued, "as 
to make it for your interest to buy the stamps. When I un- 
dertook the office, I meant a service to you." " Stop adver- 
tising your wares till they arrive safe at market," said one. 
"The two first letters of his name are those of a traitor of 
old," shouted a second, and added bitterly, "It was decreed 
that our Saviour should suffer; but was it better that Judas 
Iscariot should betray him so that the price of his blood 
might be saved by his friends V At last the citizens gath- 
ered around his house in great numbers. ' ' Will you resign ?" 
was the private inquiry they put to him. "I know not if I 
have the power to resign," answered the resolute man. On 
the 17th of September (1765), a town meeting was held there, 
raid IngersoU was called upon by a public vote to resign his 
office without delay. "I shall await to see how the Gen- 
eral Assembly is inclined," said the stampmaster, evasively. 

" Affairs began now to assume a very threatening attitude. 
The Sons of Liberty from Norwich, New London, Wind- 
ham, Lebanon, and other towns had already taken the field, 
and, w^th eight days' provisions, were riding up and down 
the country on horseback to search him out and force him 



26 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

to resign. He could no longer stay in New Haven with 
safety. Pie therefore set off for Hartford, where the Assem- 
bly was about to meet. He intended to take the advice of 
the representatives of the people, hoping that it might be 
more to his mind than the will of the constituency. Gov- 
ernor Fitch accompanied him to protect him from insult. 
On their way they were met by two men on horseback, with 
peeled clubs in their hands, who did not conceal the fact 
that they were couriers of a much larger coin]\any. His ex- 
cellency bade them go back and tell thinr associates to dis- 
pei-se. To his astonishment they refused to obey him. ' We 
look upon this.' said they, 'as the cause of the people ; we 
will not take directions about it from any one.' Mr. Inger- 
soU sent a message by them to the effect that he would meet 
the multitude at Hartford. They then withdrew. 

" On Thursday evening, the very day on which the session 
was to begin, IngersoU resumed his journey for Hartford, 
alone. He rode through the woods many miles, and passed 
up the valley of the Connecticut for a good long way with- 
out molestation. "What thoughts served to while away the 
time of this solitary traveller, history does not tell us, and 
we are at liberty to conjecture, each for himself. He had 
arrived within two or three miles of Wethersfield when he 
saw four or five men advancing to meet him. He probably 
needed little explanation as to the object of their errand. 
About half a mile farther up the river, he met a second 
escort, of thirty men ; still no violence was offered to him. 
The stampmaster and his guard rode on with the solemnity 
and decorum of a funeral procession. But still more con- 
spicuous honors awaited him. He soon saw a cavalcade of 
about five hundred freeholders and farmers, all well mounted 
and armed, not with carbines and steel blades, but with long 
and ponderous clubs. They were ghastly white, too, for 
the bai'k had been stripped from every one, in rude imi- 
tation of the ominous baton carried at that day by officei-s 
of the peace. This formidable company, under the coTumand 
of Durkee, rode slowly forward beliind two militia officers 
dressed in full imiform, and inspired by the presence of 
three trumpeters, who made the woods echo with martial 
music. They rode two abreast and opened their line to re- 
ceive Mr. IngersoU with the prof(unidest courtesy. They 
then rode forward al<jng the western bank of the Connecti- 
cut, over those fair acres that were then cidtivated farms 
and have since been converted into gardens, imtil they came 
to Wethersfield. In tlie wide main street of this oldest of all 
the towns in the Colony, the grandsons and great-grand- 
sons of the pioneer planters, who had left the straitened 
settlements of Massachusetts to enjoy pure liberty and 
bi'ave meadow-lnnds, " halted between the two rows of hous(^s 
whose fronts kept their gentleniaidy distance of twenty full 



TEE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 27 

rods from each other ; and looking up at the bkie vault, as 
if the open heavens were best fitted to witness the triumph 
of principles that had descended as legacies to them, they 
exclaimed significantly, " we cannot all see and hear so well 
in a house; we had as good have the business done here." 

"Then they commanded him to resign. ' Is it fair,' inter- 
posed Ingersoll. 'that the counties of New London and 
Windham should dictate to all the rest of the Colony V 
'It don't signify to parley,' was the answer; 'here are a 
great many people waiting, and you must resign.' Then 
ensued in substance the following dialogue between the 
people and the stampmaster : 

" Ingersoll — 'I wait to know the sense of the Government. 
Besides, were I to resign, the Governor has power to put in 
another.' 

"People — 'Here is the sense of the Government; and no 
man shall exercise your office. ' 

"Ingersoll — 'What will follow if I won't resign ?' 

"People — ' Your fate.' 

"Ingersoll (calmly) — ' I can die, and perhaps as well now 
as at any time. I can die but once.' 

"Durkee (impatiently) — 'Don't irritate the people.' 

"Ingersoll — ' I ask for leave to proceed to Hartford.' 

"Durkee — 'You shall not go two rods till you have re- 
signed. 

" Ingersoll now bethought him of a new expedient to gain 
time. Under the pretence of reflecting upon the propriety 
of complying with the demand of the people, he retired into 
an upper room of a house that was standing near by the 
spot where this parley had taken place. A committee of 
the people attended hira. Here he contrived to put off the 
multitude with promises and excuses for three tedious hours, 
during which he sent a messenger to Hartford to inform the 
Governor and the Legislature of his situation. At last the 
crowd began to lose all patience 'Get the matter over 
before the Assembly has time to do anything about it,' said 
some; while others, probing his motives to their depths, ex- 
claimed in their blunt, strong English, 'This delay is his 
artifice to wheedle the matter along till the Assembly shall 
get ensnared in it.' The passions of the multitude were now 
at fever heat. Sti'iding to the door of the house where 
Ingersoll had retreated, and stalking up the stairs, Durkee 
again confronted the stampmaster. ' I can keep the peoj^le 
off no longer,' said he, in a tone of warning. These words 
were like a death-knell to IngersoU. He saw the stalwart 
farmers filling the hall with their dark forms, their white 
staves gleaming as they pressed upon each other, and their 
great, bright eyes flashing with indignation. The heavy 
tramp of others was ascending the stairs. He saw that he 
must surrender at discretion or be torn in pieces. 



28 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

" ' The cause is not worth dying for,' he said with the cool 
irony that marked his character, as he set his hand to the 
formal resig;natic))a that had been prepared for him, and of 
which the following is a copy : 

" ' WETiiEnsFiELD, September 19th, 1765. 

"'I do hereby promise that I never will receive any 
stamped papers which may arrive from Europe, in conse- 
quence of an act lately passed in the Parliament of Great 
Britain; nor officiate as stampmaster or distributor of 
stamps, within the Ccjlonj^ of Connecticut, either directly or 
indirectly. And I do hereby notify to all the inhabitants of 
his Majesty's Colony of Connecticut (notwithstanding the 
said office or trust has been committed to me), not to apply 
to me, ever after, for any stamped paper: hereby declaring 
that I do resign the said office and execute these presents 
of my own free will and accord, without any equivocation 
or mental reservation. 

" ' In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 

'"J." INGERSOLL.' 

" 'Swear to it !' cried the people, when he had written his 
name. He begged that they would excuse him from taking 
an oath. 'Then shout liberty and property three times,' 
said the sovereign crowd. Against this spontaneous form 
of abjuration he could raise no valid objection. He swung 
his hat about his head and uttered the charmed words three 
several times witli such well-feigned earnestness that the 
people set the seal to his repentance by giving three huzzas 
that must have echoed to the eastern tsank of the Connecti- 
cut. 

"The party now dined in perfect good humor. By this 
time the company had doubled its numbers, and after dinner 
one thousan(l horsemen were ready to attend his triumphant 
entry into Hartford. The highway was thronged with free- 
holders, standing in front of their houses, to get a fair view 
of the stampmaster and his retinue." 

Hollister, in a note, gives an anecdote as illustrative of 
the good humor that prevailed on the march. ''General 
Humphreys," he says, " mentions a jest that passed between 
them while the cavalcade was escorting the ex-stampmaster 
to Hartford— which was given and received with entire 
good nature. Mr. Ingersoll, who chanced to ride a white 
horse, being asked what he thought to find himself attended 
by such a retinue, replied ' tliat he had now a clenrer idea 
than ever he had before conceived of that ]iassage in the 
Rfvolations which describes Death on a pale horse, and Hell 
following him.' " 

" At last," resumes Hollister, "they reached the Capitol. 
Here Dui"ke<> drew up his drngoons four abreast, and, while 
the tinimpetcrs redoubled their exei'tions to enliven the 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 29 

scenp, led the main body over the famihar haunts where the 
train-bands had defied the tyranny of Fletcher, and where 
the charter had eluded the grasp of Andross. He then 
ordered them to form around the Court-house in a semicircle. 
The stampmaster was set in a conspicuous place, and com- 
manded to read his recantation aloud in the healing of the 
Assembly and in the presence of the people. He went 
through the ceremony to the universal satisfaction of the 
audience ; and after the shout of liberty and property had 
been again followed by a round of hearty cheers, these lords 
of the soU, whose ancestors had helped to frame the Consti- 
tution of 1639, returned to their farms to pray for the King 
and to supplicate heaven that the eyes of the Ministry might 
be opened to repeal the unhallowed and execrable Stamp 
Act. 

"A suspicion having been awakened that, notwithstanding 
the public resignation, Ingersoll might still undertake the 
exercise of his ofiice, he made this further pubhc renuncia- 
tion: 

'' ' Whereas, I have lately received two anonymous letters 
calling on me (among other things) to give the pubhc some 
further assiu-ance with regard to my intentions about exer- 
cising the office of distributor of stamps for this Colony as 
some others have done since receiving our commissions or 
deputations of office for that purpose; and that I confirm 
the same by oath. And although I don't think it best oi'di- 
narily to take notice of svich letters, nor yet to take oaths 
upon such kind of occasions, yet, as I have good reason to 
think those letters came from a large number of people be- 
longing to this Colony, and do respect a subject of a very 
interesting nature, and the present times being peculiarly 
difficult and critical, and I myself at no loss or difficulty 
about making known my resolutions and intentions respect- 
ing the matters aforesaid I have concluded to make the 
following declaration, and to confirm the same by an oath ; 
that is to say : 

" ' 1. I never was, nor am now, desirous or even willing to 
hold or exercise the aforesaid office contrary to the mind 
and inclination of the general body of people in this Colony. 

*' '2. I have for some time been, and still am, persuaded 
that it is the general opinion and sentiment of the people of 
this Colony (after mature deliberation) that the Stamp Act 
is an infringement of their rights nnd dangerous to their 
liberties; and therefore I am not willing, nor will I, for that 
and other good and sufficient reasons, as I suppose (and 
which I hope and ti'ust will excuse me to those who ap- 
pointed me), exercise the said office against such general 
opinion and sentiment of the people ; and, generally, and in 
a word, will never at all, by myself or otherwise, officiate 
under my said deputation. And as I have, so I will, in the 



30 TUE BIRTH OF THE RKPUBLIG. 

most eflfectual manner I am able, a])ply to the proper board 
in England for u dismission from my said office . 

" ' J. Ingersoll.' 

" ' New Haven, I 
Jan. 8, 17»i(). *•""•• 

"'Then personally appeared Jared Ingersoll, Esqr., and 
made oath to the tiiith of the foregoing declaration by him 
subscribed before me. David Lyman, 

'' 'Justice Peace.'" 

Col. Putnam was one of the principal instigators of these 
proceedings, but circumstances prevented him from being 
present. He was deputed, however, to wait on the Gov- 
ernor, Fitch, and express to him the sentiments of the peo- 
ple. The following is the report of their interview : 

"Governor — ' What shall I do if the stamped paper should 
be sent to me by the King's authority ?' 

"Putnam — 'Lock it up until we [meaning pi'obably the 
Sons of Liberty] shall visit you again.' 

"Governor — ' And what will you do then ?' 

"Putnam — ' We shall expect you to give us the key to the 
room in which it is deposited; and if you think fit, in order 
to screen yourself from blame, you may forewarn us upon 
our peril not to enter the room.' 

"Governor — 'And what will jow do afterwards ?' 

"Putnam — 'Send it safely back again.' 

"Governor — 'But if I should refuse admission ?' 

"Putnam— 'Your house will be levelled with the dust in 
five minutes"' 

Thus ended the colloquy. It was soon repeated in New 
York, and alarmed those agents, who had charge of this 
contraband property, to such a degree that they did not dare 
to send their freight into Connecticut." Hollister, vol. II, 
pages 133-139. 

In the spring of 17(56, some vessels arrived with stamped 
paper on board, which was deposited in the custom-house at 
New London. The collector was immediately waited on by 
the Sons of Liberty, who demanded the obnoxious freight. 
It was promptly delivei-ed into their hands. A mock court 
was held ; the stamp paper was arraigned, tried, and found 
guilty. Sentence of whipping and burning was passed, and 
the punishment summarily inflicted. 



NEW YORK. 

On December 11, 1764, the Lords of Trade made a repre- 
sentation to the King on certain ])roceedings of ]\Iassachusetts 
and New York. They comjilain of the resolutions adopted 
by the IHassachusettss Assembly, and also of a letter ot in- 
structions to their agent, which had not the consent and 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 31 

approbation of the Governor and Council. It is alleged that 
the letter treated the acts and resolutions of the legislature 
of Great Britain with "the most indecent disrespect," and 
that "principles of the most dangerous nature and tendency" 
were " openly avowed," and that the A;:semblies of the other 
Colonies were invited "in most extraordinary manner to 
adopt the same opinions. We think it our duty lumibly to 
lay these votes before your Majesty," etc. 

"We likewise crave leave humbly to lay before your 
Majesty the copy of an address of the assembly of New 
York to the Lieutenant-governor of that Province, and of his 
prudent and becoming answer thereto; in which address 
the said Assembly avow opinions and make declarations of 
the same dangerous tendency with those of the Assembly of 
the Massachusetts Bay. 

" These proceedings which are, in our judgment, calculated 
to raise groundless suspicion and disti'ust in the minds of 
your Majesty's good subjects in the Colonies, and have the 
strongest tendency to subvert tbose principles of constitu- 
tional relation and dependence upon which the Colonies 
were originally established, contain certain matter of so 
high importance that we shall not presume to offer any 
opinion what may be proper to be done thereupon." These 
resolutions of the Assembly were made with reference to the 
Stamp Act, and claimed the exclusive right of the Colonies 
to tax themselves. 

About the same time an angry controversy arose between 
the Governor and Council on one side, and the Supreme 
Court, backed by the bar, on the other, relative to the right 
of appeal from the Supreme Court to the Governor and 
Council. The Chief Justice, Horsmanden, refused to grant 
appeals. Governor Colden regarded this as a matter "of 
the greatest consequence to his Majesty's authority in this 
Province, and to the dependence of the Colonies on the 
Crown of Great Britain." He accordingly wrote a long 
representation of the case to the Lords of Trpide. and ap- 
pealed to them for protection, admitting that the authority 
of government had become so weakened that he felt no 
longer safe. This controversy grew out of the ' ' Instructions 
to his Governor of this Province, whereby the Governor or 
Commander-in-chief is directed, in all civil causes, on appli- 
cation being made to him for that purpose, to permit and 
allow of appeals from any of the courts of common law unto 
the Governor and Council," etc. 

These instructions, of course, were in violation of char- 
tered rights and the rights of Englishmen. The Governor, 
in his letter to Earl Halifax on this subject, admits that he 
"is no lawyer" in the very act of contending that appeals 
should be taken from courts "learned in the law" to his 
jurisdiction. 



32 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

The Attorney-general, Mr. Kemp, "absolutely refused to 
advise or assist in the support of his Majesty's instructions," 
and Justice Livingston is accused of having an interest in 
the great land patents. The Governor suggests to his Lord- 
ship that the Chief Justice, Justice Livingston, and Attorney- 
general Kemp be summarily removed from office. 

But the Lieutenant-governor was not sustained by the 
Lords of Trade and the King. The instructions were modi- 
fied so as to provide for appeals only in cases of error; and it 
was even pretended, whde receding from their original 
gi-ound, that the omission of the restraining words was acci- 
dental. At the same time, by imphcation, a rebuke was 
administered to the Lieutenant-govenior for having con- 
strued his instructions literally. 

What has been stated in regard to the controversy about 
appeals is a digression; but it will be excused, as it serves to 
illustrate the temper and spirit of the people of New York 
at the pei-iod referred to. 

In a letter dated New York, September 23, 1765, Lieu- 
tenant-governor Golden says: "Soon after it was known 
that stamp duties were by act of Parliament to be paid in 
the Colonies, virulent papers were published in the weekly 
newspapers filled with Qxavy falsehood that malice could 
invent to serve their purpose of exciting the people to diso- 
bedience of the laws, and to sedition. At first they only 
denied the authority of Parliament to lay intenial tiixes in 
the Colonies, but at last they have denied the legislative 
authority of the Parliament in the Colonies, and these papers 
continue to be published." 

The stamp-distributor, Mr. McEwers, was so terrified by 
the news from Boston of the treatment of Oliver that ho 
resigned the office while the storm was yet brewing and 
before it broke upon him. Li his letter of resignation 
addressed to Lieutenant-governor Coldeu, he says: "Since 
the late riot at Boston and the inflannnatory papers lately 
printed in the Colonies, people of this citj' are so incensed 
against me as a distributor of stamps for this Province 
that I find it w-ill be attended with the greatest risk of my 
person and fortune to attempt, and indeea impossible for me, 
to execute the office. To prevent the same cruel fate Mr. 
Ohver met Avith at Boston (as I had c<n-tain information 
from several of my particular friends that a storm was 
rising and I should soon feel it), I have been under the 
necessity of declaring that I had declined the office, and 
have accordingly wrote to the commissioners signifying that 
I cannot submit to a service that will be attended with vi'ry 
dangerous consequences upon the very first attempt to 
ofiiciate." Tlie date of this letter is not given, but is en- 
closed in one from Governor Golden to Secretary Gouway, 
of September 23, 1765. 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 33 

The people of New York were in a very excited frame of 
mind at this time, and had been for a year past, as appeal's 
from the letter of the Lords of Trade, of December 11th of 
the year previous, already quoted ; and it is manifest from 
Colden's letter that he shared in the fears which drove the 
stampmaster into resignation. He made his home in Fort 
George, and as far back as the month of Maj^ he represented 
to the general (Gage), he "could not answer for the safety 
of his Majesty's fort in its present state from a mob or froiii 
the negroes, in consequence of which he ordered a company 
of the Sixtieth Regiment from Crown Point, which arrived 
in July." A new supply of ammunition and arms was also 
brought in. 

" It is evident, '' says Golden, ' ' that a secret correspondence 
has been carried on throughout all the Colonies, and that it 
has been concerted to deter by violence the distributors of 
stam.ps from executing their office, and to destroy the 
stamped paper when it ariives." 

The stamps at length arrived in the ship Edward, and was 
carefully guarded until it reached the fort, Avhere it was 
under the protection of its guns and of his Majesty's ships- 
of-war. After much difficulty and delay, the stamps were 
removed to the fort. The night after the arrival of the 
vessel with the stamps, a paper was posted on every public- 
house and at the corners of the streets, of which the follow- 
ing is a copy : 

''Pro Pair ia. 
"The first man that either distributes or makes use of 
stamp paper, let him take care of his house, person, and 
effects. We Dare. Vox Populi." 

The following letter from Lieutenant-governor Colden to 
the Lords of Ti'ade furnishes a pretty clear idea of two sub- 
sequent proceedings of the peoj^le of New York in regard to 
the Stamp Act : 

" New York, 6th Dec, 1765. 

"My Lords: 

"The deputy secretary informs me that Sir Henry 
Moore has transmitted to your lordships copies of the 
minutes of Council which have reference to the riots which 
lately happened in the city of New York, but, if I mistake 
not, that the minutes in the beginning of September vv^ere 
omitted. I now inclose a copy of those minutes from a copy 
which I now have with me at my residence in the country, 
becavise without them your lordships' information cannot be 
complete. 

' ' From the minutes of Council of the 4th and 7th of Septem- 
ber, it appears that General Gage, as well as myself, was of 



34 THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIC. 

opinion thnt the assistance of the rcpnlar ti'oops was neces- 
sai"y for seeming the city from riots and tumults. The 
daringly seditious papers which the geneial mentions in his 
letter, "continually published, and which the civil power 
could not suppress, made this appear necessary to both 
of us, tho' we yielded to the opinion and advice of the 
Ct)unci]. Wliat has happened since shows that the Council 
erred in their judgment; for certainly it would have been 
much easier to prevent the first appearance of any mob, by 
a force sufficient to deter them, than to suppress riots and 
mobs without such force. 

" It is necessary to relate particularly what I afterwards 
did, that your lordsliips may judge wiiether I gave any just 
occasion for the riots which succeeded. 

" On the 23d of October, the ship, Edward, William Davis, 
commander, arrived in the river, with packages of stumped 
paper and parchments on board. The mob, threatening to 
destroy the ship and cargo if tho stamped paper was not 
delivered to them, and as these packages were intermixed 
with other goods in the hold, the master and owner of the 
ship proposed to me to hire a slooj> to take the merchants' 
goods on board, and to land them till the packages could be 
come at; but no sloop would hire at any rate. On which I 
told tho master and owner to go to the wharf and unload as 
usual, and that I would give directions to the magistrates to 
secure them from any iusidt ; but they, answering that th^y 
apprehended the ship and cargo would be in danger by so 
doing, they desired, with the approbation of the merchants 
who had goods on board, that I should desire the frigate 
under whose protection the ship was, to assist them in 
removing the goods till the packages of stamped paper could 
be come at and put on board the frigate, which was accord- 
ingly done with the apparent satisfaction of all who were 
interested in the ship and (;argo. 

■' The packages were afterwards landed at noon-day from 
the frigate, and carried mto the Fort without any guard, 
and remained there without any public discontent appearing 
till the last day of October, when I, in Council, took the oath 
enjoine I by act of Parliament. 

"In the night of the 1st of November,a great riot happened, 
consisting of several thousands of people. A great number 
of boys carried lighted torches, followed by a scaifold on 
which was placed two images, one representing their old, 
gray-haired Governor, and the other the Devil whispering in 
his ear. They came up close to the fort gate, and, in going 
froin it, broke open my coach-liouse, took out my c'lariot, 
carried it r:nmd the streets of the town, witli tho images, re- 
turned a second time to the fort gate, and then carried the 
images to an open place about 100 yards from it, where they 
were hung up some time on a gibbet, afterwards cut down, 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 35 

and burnt in a fire prepared for the purpose, together with 
my chariot and some other carriages found in my coach- 
house, and all the furniture of my stables. When the im- 
ages were brought up to the fort, the garrison were on the 
ramparts. Notwithstanding the grossest ribaldry of the 
mob, and many stones thrown into the fort, not a single 
word was returned from any man in it. After they had 
finished this insult, they went to Major Jtimes' house, de- 
stroyed everything in it, without leaving him and his lady 
more than the clothes on their backs. 

" The next day letters and messages were sent in to me, 
threatening my life if I did not deliver up stamped papers. 
By advice of CJouncil —I very readily declared that I woidd 
not distribute them ; in truth, it was not in my power to do 
it — but deliver them to Sir Henry Moore when he arrived. 
This gave satisfaction to great numbers, who in the most 
open manner declared their satisfaction ; but the principal 
leaders declared themselves not satisfied, and insisted that 
the stamped papers should be put on board the Coventry, 
commanded by Captain Kennedy. This I did not oppose; 
but Captain Kennedy absolutely refused to receive them, 
and with good reason, for he was aware of their design to 
force him to deliver them to the mob, by threatening to de- 
stroy the houses he was possessed [of] in the city, of which 
he has in his own and his wife's right more than perhaps 
any one man in it. 

' ' While these things were transacting, the engineers put the 
fort into tlie best state of defence and offence. The mob re- 
newed their threats against the fort, and that they wovild 
assault it to come at the stamped papers. The men of 
greatest property, and the magistrates of the city, seeing 
that, from the posture the fort was then in, the destruction 
of great part of the city must be the consequence of such an 
attempt, humbly deprecated tosavethecity from desolation. 
At last I consented to deliver up the stamped paper to the 
mayor and corporation of the city, as appeal's by the min- 
utes of Council; after which the mob entirely dispersed, 
and the city remained in perfect tranquilhty till I delivered 
up the administration to Sir Henry Moore. . . . 
"My Lords, your most obd't, &c., 

[Signed.] ' ' Cadwallader Colden. " 

On the 21st December the Governor, Sir Henry Moore, in 
a letter to Earl Dartmouth, gives a gloomy picture of affairs : 
" The whole Province is now smarting very severely for the 
late rash proceedings in regard to the Stamp Act; your 
Lordship may veiy well imag:ine this, upon being informed 
that all our courts are shut up, and that no vessel is per- 
mitted to go out of the harbor, so that it is morally impos- 
sible that the people here can subsist any time under such 



36 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

inconveniences as they have brought on themselves." He 
was persuaded that " the distresses that must attend the sus- 
pension of the law will facilitate the carrying it into execu- 
tion, more than any attempts I could possjbly make in its 
favor," etc. 

Both the Governor and Lieutenant-governer bent before 
the storm a great deal more than they were willing to admit 
in plain words. Wo liave seen that Colden surrendered the 
stamps, on the demand of the mob, to the corporate author- 
ities of the city, and that he inade a solemn declaration and 
promise that he would do nothinji: further to\va7'ds the en- 
forcement of the Stamp Act until tlie arrival of Governor 
Moore, when his powers were to cease. This promise was 
made only a day or two after his oath was taken before the 
Council, in obedience to the law, that he would do all in his 
power to enforce it. For the promise thus given, in the face 
of his oath, he was severely censured by the secretary, Con- 
way ; though in other respects his conduct was approved. 
Governor Moore was as complaisant to the mob as the Lieu- 
tenant-governor had been, which the latter takes pleasure 
in making known in his correspondence with Conway. He 
writes, December 13th, while the mob was in the zenith of its 
power, that Sir Henry Moore, the Governor, " takes every 
method to ingratiate himself with the people, with what 
success in allaying the seditious spirit will appear from the 
public transactions. The fort is dismantled— everything 
which Mayor James introduced of artillery, stores, and gun- 
powder removed out of it." 

Governor Moore, on the other hand, modestly refrains 
from stating what he had done to pacify the people; but 
contents himself with saying that "My arrival has in some 
measure restored tranquillity, but you will perceive, by the 
minutes of the Council, here inclosed, that I am not to be 
supported in the execution of the act, and that their (the 
councillors) apprehensions of future disturbances have in- 
fluenced aU the opinions they have given me on this occa- 
sion. In consequence of their resolutions, I am obliged to 
suspend a power which I am not able to exert without their 
assistance, and to make a merit of acting in a manner which 
carries no other recommendation with it but that of not ex- 
posing the weakness of our government." He further states 
that tlie outrages in all parts of the country had frightened 
the stampmasters into resignation, and that it would be 
difficult to supply their places. 

In a letter dated Januai-y 14, 1766, Colden writes to Con- 
way as follows : 

" The design of the present ruling faction in this Province 
is to make me an exanijile, to deter all succeeding Governors 
and officers of the Crown from opposing their domination. 
I have already informed you, sir, that this faction is com- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 37 

posod of the lawyers and men of enormous landed estates, 
who have obtained an absolute influence in the Assembly. 
In the last act for granting salaries to the officers of govern- 
ment, the Assembly have deprived me of my salary from 
the time the preceding act expired to the time Sir Henry 
Moore arrived, which, at the rate the Governor's salary is 
fixed by the last act, amounts to four hundred pounds in 
the currency of this Province," etc. 

Destriictio7i of Stamps. 

January 16, 1766, Governor Moore writes to Secretary Con- 
way, as follows : 

" The day before I had the honor of your letter of the 24th 
October, a vessel arrived here from England, having on 
board some stamped papers for this Province and Connecti- 
cut, which in the following night, were forcibly taken out of 
the ship and destroyed. Tliis proceeding, so contrary to 
what I had reason to expect," etc. 

The Governor admits that he was powerless to punish or 
prevent the disorders. 

The foregoing account of the action of the people of New 
York with reference to the Stamp Act has been derived 
from the valuable histoiical collection entitled "Documents 
Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New York." 
It will be seen that the authorities were all adverse to the 
rights of the people. But after a successful revolution, the 
allegations and arraignments made by the discomfited 
minions of despotism became records and monuments of 
the courage and patriotism of the accused. 



NEW JERSEY. 

The following account of the action of New Jersey with 
reference to the Stamp Act is taken from a discourse read 
before the New Jersey Historical Society, in the year 1848, 
by Richard S. Field, Esq. Though styled a discourse, it is 
a book in proportions, with an appendix, as it appears, beau- 
tifully printed, in the collections of the New Jersey Histori- 
cal Society; the subject being, ''The Provincial Courts of 
New Jersey, with Sketches of the Bench and Bar:" 

"New Jersey shared with her sister-Colonies in the 
indignation and alarm which was occasioned by the passage 
of the Stamp Act; and nowhere did it encounter a more vig- 
orous though peaceful resistance. The lawyers of New 
Jei-sey wei'e the first to adopt measures for systematic oppo- 
sition to the use of stamps. At the September term of the 
Supreme Court, 1765, a meeting of the bar was held at 
Amboy for the purpose of considei-ing what step it would be 
proper to pursue upon the arrival of the stamps, which were 



38 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

then shortly expected. There was a full and general attend- 
ance ; and after a free interchange of sentiment, it was unan- 
imously resolved that they would not consent to make use 
of the stamps under any circumstances or for any purpose 
whatever. The effect of such a resolution was to put an 
entire stop to the transaction of all legal business, and thus 
render the odious act wholly unproductive as a source of 
revenue. It was the most efficient measure, therefore, thnt 
could have been adopted, and the more creditable to them 
as they were Ukely to be the principal sufferers by it. Their 
wise and patriotic example was much applauded at the time, 
and was soon followed in other Colonies ; but, like every- 
tliing else of interest and importance connected with New 
Jersey, it hardly receives a passing notice on the page of 
American history. The truth is, Massachusetts and Vir- 
ginia seem to have monopolized, in a great measure, all the 
glory of the Revohition. 

"On the 20th of September, the day after this meeting, 
Chief Justice Smyth desired the members of the bar to at- 
tend liim in a body, that he might lay before them some 
matters for their consideration. A report had been in circu- 
lation that he had soliciteil the appointment of distributor 
of stamps. This he denied upon his honor. After setting 
himself right on that point, he proceeded to propose to them 
certain questions, to which he desired a separate answer 
from each. 

"The first was: 'Whether, if the stamps should arrive 
and be placed at the city of Bui'lington, by or after the 1st 
of November, they would, as practitioners, agree to purchase 
them for their necessary legal proceedings ?' To this they 
answered, 'that they would not, but rather suffer their i)ri- 
vate interests to give way to the public good, protesting 
against all riotous proceedings.' 

"The next (juestion was: 'Whether, in their opinion, the 
duties could possibly be paid in gold and silver ?' 

[It was about this time that an order from the board of 
trade required the payment of all duties in gold an.d silver.] 

"They answered, "that they could not be paid in gold and 
silver, ev^cn for one ^ear.' 

"The last question was : ' Whether, as the act required the 
Governor and Chief Justice to superintend the distribution 
of stamps, he would be obliged to accept the appointment of 
distributor in case the Governor should fix upon him for 
that office ?' Their answer was, ' that the Governor was 
not empowered by the act to appoint ; that if he was, it was 
left to the o})tion of the Chief Justice whether to accept or 
not; and that it would be incompatible with his office as 
Chief Justice.' 

"Tiie Chief Justice seems to hove been entirely satisfied 
with these answers, and to have acted upon the advice thus 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 39 

given him. In fact, before the arrival of the day on which 
the act was to take effect, every distributor of stamps in 
America had resigned. The effect of tliese proceedings was 
to produce a complete cessation of all legal business. The 
stamps arrived, but no one would purchase them. The 
courts of justice were shut up. 

"But this state of things covdd not last long. The people 
were becoming impatient of its continuance, and tired of 
mere passive resistance. Associations had sprung up in 
nearly all the Colonies under the titles of 'Sons of Liberty,' 
who were in favor of setting the provisions of the act at 
open defiance. Efforts were made to induce the lawyers of 
New Jersey to transact business without the use of stamps. 
Another meeting of the bar was proposed. Heretofore, all 
had been done in perfect harmony. There had not been a 
single dissenting voice. But now, the line began for the first 
time to be drawn, between those who thought they had gone 
far enough, and those who were willing to go further. We 
have a letter from David Ogden to Philip Kearney, in wliich 
he declares himself opposed to another meetiug'of the l)ar, 
and expresses the hope that they would continue to pursue 
the peaceful method ihey had adopted, until the Stamp Act 
was repealed. 

"The meeting nevertheless took place. It was held at 
New Brunswick on the 13th of February, 1766. The Sons 
of Liberty to the number of several hundred took care to 
be present at the same time, and united in a written request 
to the members of the bar, urging them to proceed to busi- 
ness as usual without stamps, and to use their influence to 
have the courts of justice opened. The meeting, while they 
agreed to preserve that happy state of tranquillity which 
had thus far been maintained in the Province, at the 
same time resolved that, if the Stamp Act was not repealed 
by the first day of April followiiig, they would resume their 
practice as usual. And they appointed a committee of two to 
wait upon the Sons of Libei'ty and assure them that, if the 
act was not suspended or repealed, they would join them in 
opposing it with tlieir lives and fortunes, 

"These were bold and si:)irited resolutions. Even in Mas- 
sachusetts—generally in advance of the Colonies — the most 
patriotic of the lawyers deemed it impossible to conduct ju- 
dicial business in open disregard of an act of Parliament, 
however unjust or tyrannical it might be ; and nothing but a 
resolution of the Assembly emboldened them to venture upon 
such a step. . . . 

"Before the arrival of the day, however, named in the 
resolutions of the bar of New Jersey, the Stamp Act was re- 
pealed, and all further proceedings upon their part became 
unnecessai'y." 

From the Index to Colonial Documents, it appears that 



40 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIO. 

William Coxp, stamp-distributor, tendered his resignation 
of the ofSce, Sept. 3, 1765 ; and that the Sons of Liberty of 
Woodbi'idge and Piscatoway "were particularly prominent in 
inducing " his resignation. September 4th, Governor Frank- 
lin replied that as he (Coxe) "made application for the office," 
he ought to hold onto it, and would be held responsible for 
the papers. September 14lh, Governor Franklin writes to 
General Gage, informing him of t he resignation of the stamp- 
distributor, and asking him if he coulci have the aid of the 
military if he should find it necessary to call on him. 

September 16th. Gage replies tliat the Governor may de- 
pend on one hundred men, witli proper officers, .ready to 
march to New Jersey, on his requisition, to preserve good 
order in the Province. 

Governor Franklin wrote the British Secretary of State, 
Conway, October 10th, that it would bo difficult to find a man 
to take the place of Coxe, as stamp-distributor, and, Novem- 
ber 13, that the people of New Jersey wtmld be sure to fol- 
low the seditious example set in other Colonies in resistance 
to the Stamp Act. He also refers to the agreement entered 
into by the lawyei'S ; and states, at tlie preceding term of the 
supreme court, only criminal matters were attended to. 

November 30th, Governor Franklin Avrote Conway that 
the infection was spreading, with regai-d to the Stamp Act, 
and had reached New Jersey. No riots had been committQd, 
but the most prudent management was necessary to prevent 
thenQ. 

The New Jersey Assembly had refused to send delegates 
to the general Congress at New York to protest against the 
Stamp Act; but December 9th, the committee of correspond- 
ence of the Assembly transmitted copies of the petitions to 
the King and the two Houses of Parliament, agreed to by 
the Congress in New York. The Assembly also approved 
the proceedings of the Congress. 

December 18th, Governor Franklin, in a letter to the board 
of trade, says that, notwithstanding the Assembly refused to 
send a committee of delegates to tlie Congress at New York, 
the Speaker (Robert Ogden) ' ' summoned the House to oblige 
the people of east Jersey, and pi'evailed upon them to choose 
three; but refusing to be one of the committee, he was 
burned in effigj^ in almost all the towns of East Jersey, 
which induced him to resign his seat in the Assembly ; the 
minutes of Council and Assembly contain jiarticulars of 
the Assembly's further proceedings ; the Stamp Act has not 
been yet carried into execution — the officers dare not do it 
for fear of being torn to pieces by tlie mob; the stamps are 
still on board the man-of-war; the business is at a stand- 
still." 

March 1. 1706, Conway sent a circular-letter to the sev- 
eral Governors in North America— could give no advice 



THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLTG. 41 

how to act in the perplexed state of things; a bill had been 
brought into Parliament, and had made some progress, for 
the repeal of the Stamp Act. 

March olst, Conway, writes another circular-letter an- 
nouncing the repeal of the act. 

This ended the controversy on the Stamp Act. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

The following account of the reception which the Stamp 
Act met with in Pennsylvania is taken from Haz*ird's 
Register, which credits it to the publication known as "Prior 
Documents." The act was passed by the British Parliament, 
as has already been stated, in March, 1765 ; and the General 
Asseujbly of Pennsylvania which met in Philadelphia in 
September adopted the following resolutions : 

' ' The House, taking into consideration that an act of Par- 
liament has lately passed in England, for imposing certain 
stamp duties and otlier duties on his Majesty's subjects in 
Amerca, whereby they conceive some of their most essential 
and valuable rights, as British subjects, to be deeply affected, 
think it a duty they owe to themselves and their posterity 
to come to the following resolutions, viz. : 

" Resolved, N. C. D., That the Assemblies of this Province 
have, from time to time, whenever requisitions have been 
made by his Majesty for carrying on military operations for 
the defence of America, most cheerfully and liberally con- 
tributed their full proportion of men and money for these 
services. 

" Resolved, N. C. D., That whenever his Majesty's service 
shall, for the future, require the aids of the inhabitants of 
this Province, and they shall be called upon for that purpose 
in a constitutional way, it will be their indispensable duty 
most cheerfully and liberally to grant to his Majesty their 
proportion of men and money for the defence, security, and 
other public services of the British North American Colo- 
nies. 

"Resolved, N. C. D., That the inhabitants of this Province 
are entitled to all the rights and privileges of his Majesty's 
subjects in Great Britain or elsewhere ; and that the constitu- 
tion of Government in this Province is founded on the natu- 
ral rights of mankind, and the noble principles of English 
liberty, and therefore is or ought to be perfectly free. 

"Resolved, N. C. D., That it is the inherent birthright and 
indubitable privilege of every British subject to be taxed only 
by his own consent, or that of his legal representatives, in 
conjunction with his Majesty or his substitutes. 

" Resolved, N. C. I)., That the only legal representatives of 
the inhabitants of this Province are the persons they annu- 
ally elect to serve as members of Assembly. 



42 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

"Resolved, N. C. D., That the taxation of the people of 
this Province by any other persons whatsoever than such 
their representatives in Assembly- is unconstitutional and 
subversive of their most valuable rijjhts. 

"Resolved, N. C. D., That the laying taxes upon the in- 
habitants of tliis Province in any other manner being man- 
ifestly subversive of public liberty, must, of necessary con- 
sequence, be utterly desti'uctivc of public happiness. 

" Resolved, N. C. D., That the vesting an authority in the 
Courts of Admii-alty to decide in suits relating to the stamp 
duties and other matters foreign to their projDer jurisdic- 
tion is highly dangerous to the Uberties of his Majesty's 
American subjects, contrary to Magna Charta, — the great 
charter and fountain of English liberty, — and destructive of 
one of their most darling and acknowledged rights— that of 
trials by juries. 

"Resolved, N. C. D., That it is the opinion of this House 
that the restraints imposeJ by several acts of Parliament on 
the trade of this Province, at a time when the people labor 
under an enormous load of debt, must of necessity be at- 
tended with the most fatal consequences, not only to this 
Province, but to the trade of the mother-countrv. 

" Resolved, N. C. D., That this House think it their duty 
thus firml}' to assert, with modesty and decency, their in- 
herent rights, that their posterity may learn and know, that 
it was not with their consent and acquiescence, that any 
taxes should be levied on them on them by any persons but 
their own representatives; and are desirous that these their 
resolves should remain on their minutes as a testimony of 
the zeal and ardent desire of the present House of Assembly 
to preserve their inestimable rights, which, as Englishmen, 
they have possessed ever since this Province was settled, 
and to transmit them to their latest posterity." 

On the 5th of October, the stamps arrived at Philadelphia, 
the ship which brought them having laid some time at New 
Oastle-upon Delaware, under protection of a man of-war. 
When the ship first appeared round Gloucester Point, all the 
vessels in the harbor hoisted their colors half-stalf hic:h, the 
bells were muffled anil continued to toll until evening, and 
every countenance added to the appearance of sincere 
moui-ning. At four in the afternoon several thousands of 
citizens met at the State House to consult on proper meas- 
ures to prevent the execution of the Stamp Act. It was 
agreed to send a deputation of seven pei-sons to Mr. Huglies, 
the stampmaster for that Province (who was then sick in 
bed), to request he w.uld resign his office. He readily de 
dared that no act of his should assist the carrying of that 
law into execution till it was generally compliinl with in the 
other Colonies, but refused to sign any resignation. Wlien 
this report was made by the deputies to the State House, the 



THE BIBTIT OF THE BEPUBLIG. 43 

citizens were enraged to that degree that it is hard to say 
what lengths tlaeir fury would have carried them had not 
the deputies represented Mr. Hughes at the point of death ; 
this moved their compassion, and they agreed to make their 
demand in writing and give Mr. Hughes till the Monday 
following to make a reply. And on Monday the deputies read 
the following answer aloud to all the multitude assembled : 

"Philadelphia, Monday morning, October 7, 17(i5. 

"Whereas, about six o'clock on Saturday evening last a 
paper was sent to me, expressing that a great number of cit- 
izens of Philadelphia assembled at the State House, to de- 
mand of Mr. John Hughes, distributor of stamps for Penn- 
sylvania, that he will give them assurance, under his hand, 
that he will not execute that oflSce, and expect that he will 
give them a fair, candid, and direct answer by Monday 
next at ten o'clock, when he will be waited on for that pur- 
pose, 

" I do therefore return for answer to those gentlemen and 
all their associates, that I have not hitherto taken any step 
tending to put the late act of Parliament into execution in 
this Province, and that I will not, either by myself or my 
deputies, do any act or thing that shall have the least ten- 
dency to put the said act into execution in this Province 
until the said act shall be put into execution generally in the 
neighboring Colonies; and this I am determined to abide by. 

"And whereas, my commission includes the three coun- 
ties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex-upon-Delaware, I do 
therefore hereby voluntarily inform the good people of those 
counties that no act of mine shall, either directly or indi- 
rectly, involve them in any difficulties with respect to the 
said Stamp Act before the same shall take place generally in 
the neighboring Colonies. 

"John Hughes." 

A week later, Mr. Hughes gave to the commissioners of 
stamps a long a^ccount of his troubles, in which he attributes 
the disturbances to the " Presbyterians and the proprietary 
party." His letter is as follows : 

" Philadelphia, October 12, 1765. 

"Gentlemen: Having been confined to my bed twenty- 
five days past, with a violent disorder that was expected 
would prove mortal, but, thank God, am now able to sit up 
in bed, I shall attempt to give you a sketch of not only my 
own conduct, but also that of the Presbyterians and propri- 
etary party here relative to the stamp office. 

" In May last, I received information from Dr. Franklin 
that he had recommended me for chief distributor of stamps 
in this Province; and thus the matter rested until some 
gentleman to the eastward rpceived their commissions, 



44 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

whereupon mobs arose in several of tlie Eastern Provinces 
and the officers were obliged to resign ; but as a prelude to 
the destruction and disorder made by those mobs, the print- 
ers in each Colony, almost without exception, stuffed their 
papers weekly, for some time before, with the most inflam- 
matory pieces they could procure, and excluded everything 
that tended to cool the minds of the people. These measures 
they pursued imtil the Presbyterians, in particular, in every 
Colony, began to threaten the Stamp officers; and those 
gentry in their Province, about the beginning of September, 
began to be very noisy, and some of them said I ought to 
resign. I gave them for answer, I had as yet no commission, 
therefore could not resign what I had not. However, about 
the middle of September, it was reported that the stamps 
would arrive in Captain Friend's ship, who was then ex- 
pected, and these riotous gentry began to threaten they 
would destroy the stamps as soon as they arrived. I there- 
fore, being desirous, as far as in me lay, to preserve the 
stamps, wrote on the 17th the letter (No. 1) to his Honor 
the Governor, but received no answer ; and as the stamps 
did not arrive in Captain Friend's vessel, matters rested un- 
til October 2d. when I received the paper (No. 2), being a note 
from CaptainWilliam Dovel ; a tool of the party, and therefore 
I wrote my answer (No. 3) to Mr. Dickenson, the owner of 
the ship, and on the next day wrote my letter (No. 4) to his 
Honor the Governor, but received no answer ; and here mat- 
ters rested until Saturday, the 5th of October, when I re- 
ceived information, that the ship with the stamps was come 
up to the town that day, and that a mob would be collected 
by beating muffled drmns through the streets and ringing 
the State Hovise and church bells muffled, which v/as ac- 
cordingly done all the afternoon, but at two o'clock the post 
arrived with the mail and packet, and, among other things, 
my commission. This the party ventured to allege because 
there was a large packet for me; accordingly the mob col- 
lected, chiefly Presbyterians and proprietary emissaries, 
with the Chief Justice's (Mr. William Allen) son at their 
head, animating and encouraging the lower class. 

"About three o'clock the following persons, viz.: James 
Tilghman, Esq. ; attorney at law, Messrs. Robert Morris, 
Charles Thompson, Ai'chibald M'Call, John Cox, Wflliam 
Richards, merchants; and Mr. William Bradfoi-d, printer, — 
came to me, on a dei:)utation from a gi'cat number collected 
at the State House, to request my resignation. 1 answered, 
it is true, I now have my commission, but as two gentlemen 
are boimd for my performance in the sum of 5000 poimds, 
I could not resign unless I indemnify my bail. Altercation 
on this subject took up nearly nn hour (low as I was); and 
at last thev saiil, all that was expected of me was that I 
would not put ihe act in rxooution in the Province until his 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 45 

Majesty's further pleasure was known, or until the act 
should be put in execution in the neighboring Colonies. To 
this I thought proper to signify some disposition to comply, 
because I had many informations by my friends that the 
mob intended to proceed to the last extremities if I did not 
resign. Upon this the deputation withdi'ew to consult their 
associates, and at six o'clock I received the paper (No. 5), 
being a peremptory demand ; there the matter rested until 
Sunday morning, when, having recovered my spirits a little 
from the fatigue of that long altercation aforesaid, I looked 
over the paper, and found it more positive than what had 
been mentioned the day before, and therefore sent for Mr. 
Charles Thompson, one of the deputation, and asked him if 
they were sincere the day before; . . . because, I ob- 
served, the paper sent mo did not agree with the proposition 
made to me. He said he was sincere and could only answer 
for himself. I replied : Well, gentlemen, you must look to 
yourselves; for this is a high affair. He made answer thus: 
I do not know, but I hope it will not be deemed rebelhon. 
Indeed, sir, I know no other name for it. Well, says he, 
I know not how it niay end, for wo have not yet determined 
whether we will ever suffer the act to take place here or not ; 
and took his leave. On Monday morning at ten o'clock, the 
whole deputation came, and I offered them the paper (No. 
6) ; and after some consultation among themselves, they ob- 
jected to their names being inserted. I said: Why, sure, 
gentlemen, you have not done a thing you are ashamed to 
own? Not in the least, they said ; but there was no necessity 
for their names being inserted, nor would they receive that 
resignation. Whereupon I said to Mr. Tilghman: Come, sir, 
take the pen and please yourself, for I see you are determined 
to be arbitrary. He then took the pen and formed the paper 
(No. 7) ; and when it was transcribed, I asked them what 
they intended to do with the stamps, as they assumed the 
supreme power in the Province. They then looked at one 
another forawhUe, and seemed somewhat confused; but, at 
last, Mr. Tilghman replied : We did not come here prepared 
to speak to that head. Then another replied : Let Mr. Hughes 
take care of them. I answered : Gentlemen, that cannot be, 
as yovi have now fixed matters; for were I to take the 
stamps into my care, I should have your party come about 
my house and pull it down and destroy both me and them. 
Well, says another, let the Governor take care of them. An- 
other then says : Perhaps the Governor will call upon Mr. 
Hughes to put the act into execution; and when he declines, 
the Go\-ex"nor perhaps will appoint an officer, and the act 
may take place. Here a general pause ensued ; but at last 
one and all cried out: Let us see who will dare put the act in 
execution ; upon the Governor's appointment we will take 
care of that. By this time the paper (No. 7) was transcribed ; 



46 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

and after I had signed it, tlioy went away to proclaim it to 
their friends. And the next day I wrote the letter (No. 8) to 
the Governor, and received the under- written verbal answer 
by uiy son." 

The letter to the Governor here referred to, makes inquiry 
in regard to the stamps, that he may report to the stamp 
commissioners. The verbal answer of the Governor was 
simply this : " Let Mr, Hughes know the stamps are onboard 
the raan-of-war." 

Hughes intimates very broadly, in his correspondence with 
the commissioners and others, that the Governor, from some 
cause, evaded his sworn duty; and that he might have 
quelled the mob. There was evidently no good under- 
standing between these British functionaries ; and each was 
ready to throw the blame, of failing to enforce the law, upon 
the other. 

Both Hughes of Pennsylvania and Ingersoll of Connecticut 
claimed that they had been appointed stamp-distributors on 
the recommendation of Dr. Franklin. It is proper to state, 
therefore, that that distinguished patriot was the agent of the 
Colonies, resident in London; and if called on by the gov- 
ernment to designate persons to fill those places, he could 
not, consistently with his position, refuse to do so, nuich as 
he detested, and earnestly as he had opposed, the passage of 
the act. 

No doubt the serious illness of Hughes saved him from a 
rough handling by the mob. It is evident that he made the 
most of his illness; and it is pi'obable, from what took place, 
that he would have surrendered at the first summons if he 
had been pressed with vigor. 

DELAWARE. 

There is little to be said, under the separate head of Dela- 
ware, in regard to the enforcement of the Stamp Act. The 
stamyi-distributor appointed for Pennsylvania was also au- 
thorized to act in that capacity for the " lower counties on 
the Delaware" ' by which designation the Colony was known). 
New Castle, Kent, and Sussex. Ami in his agreement to 
suspend operations until the King should be heard from, or 
until the act should be enforced in the neighboring Colonies, 
he stipulated to observe the same rule as to Delaware. 

MARYLAND. 

• " There was no Colony of English America," says IMcMa- 
hon, in his History of ]\Iaryland, "in which the claim of the 
inhabitants to exemption from all taxation not sanctioned 

^by their assent was more familiar than in ^Maryland. It 
was one of the fundamental principles of their proprietaiy 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 47 

government, incorporated with it by law in its very infancy ; 
and it was constantly extended by its Assembly, even to 
every act of the proprietary administration, the indirect 
consequence of which was taxation. The vigilance with 
v/hich its Assemblies guarded this right, aiid their constant 
assertion of it against everything which even indirectly 
t(>nded to its infringement, gave to it the character of an 
indisputable privilege. . . . 

" In investigating the history of this act, much talent has 
been employed, and much time and research have been ex- 
pended, in determining to which of the Colonies belongs the 
high honor of having given the first impulse to Colonial re- 
sistance. If such attaches peculiarly to any one of the Colo- 
nies, the effort to establish its claim is worthy of all re- 
search. To have been the advance guard of liberty in the 
first great effort which opened the way to the establishment 
of the first Republic upon earth, is enough for immortality; 
and generous rivalry will accord it where it is due. Yet it 
ma}^ well be questioned whether such merit can be properly 
ascribed to any maii or any Colony. Such pretensions 
must assume, as the foundation of the claim, the origination 
either of the principles of the opposition, or by the de- 
termination to resist, or of the means of resistance. , . . 
Speeches, resolves, addresses, essays, had brought the public 
niind to contemplate all the consequences of the proposed 
measure; and the spirit of resistance was already up, in the 
formidable shape of combinations. However suppressed 
that spirit might seem, and ready to submit, when there 
remained no alternative but open rebellion against the act, 
the ' master-spirits' in the Colonies knew full well that its 
rest was but the couching of the lion, and its silence the 
portentous silence that precedes the storm. Such were 
Henry of Virginia, and Otis of Massachusetts in the two 
great Colonies whose movements against the Stamp Act 
stand first in order and importance upon the page of history. 
They touched the cord of public feeling, already tremblingly 
alive ; and they knew its response. Their Colonies went in 
advance of the others in the expression of these sentiments 
through their Assembles ; but by the early convention of the 
latter, after the passage of the act, accident cast upon them 
the fii"st opportunity of taking the lead in opposition to it. 
They sounded the first notes of defiance; but these were soon < 
echoed back by Colonies as ready, energetic, and determined 
in resistance as they. 

"It is not our purpose nor our wish to say aught in de- 
rogation of the high claims of those patriotic Colonies, to be 
cherished in our remembrance as the foremost champions 
of Colonial liberty. Their honor is reflected upon us ; and 
the virtues and noble bearing of their distinguished sons 
adorn our common history. To have been found firm and 



48 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

faithful by their side 'is enough for honor.' Yet in the 
liistories of the Colonial transactions connected with the 
Stajnp Act, the coiu-se of Maryland seems to have been 
little known or understood, and she has been thrown into 
the rear of tbe other Colonies, as if she had been by them 
stimulated to and led on in opposition. Yet her transac- 
tions prove that she wanted no teacher, cither to instruct in 
her rights or to prompt them to preserve them; and they 
exhibit a character and unanimity of opjjosition that is 
without a parallel in the history of any Colony. 

" CiiTumstances of the moment over which she had no 
control prevented this Colony from expressing through, her 
Assembly, her opposition to this measure, not only before the 
act passed but also for a long period after its passage. The 
power to convene the Assembly resided whollj' with the Gov- 
ernor; and upon the prorogation of it in November, 1763, its 
session was postponed, by repeated pi-orogations, until Sep- 
tember, 1765. The Assembly Avas thus disabled from declar- 
ing its decided hostility to the measure at an earlier period ; 
but its eagerness in the common cause is displayed, not only 
by the spirited and unanimous declaration then made, but still 
more forcibly by its remonstrance to the Governor for his do- 
lay in convening it at a pei'iod when its members were desir- 
ous to unite with their brethren in the other Colonies, in the 
protc-'tion of tlieir common liberties. Their message is the 
best commentary upon the subject : ' We are truly concerned 
[say they in tliis message, 13th Decembei\ 1765] ' that the 
duty we owe to our constituents lays us under the indis- 
pensable necessity of observing that every power lodged in 
the hands of government is there intrusted by the Consti- 
tution, to be exercised for the common good. To tliis end 
hath your Excellency, as Supreme Magistrate, the power of 
convening and proroguing, which, we need not remark, ac- 
cording to tlie bill of rights, confirmed at the happy Revolu- 
tion, ought, for redress of all grievances, and for amending, 
strengthenmg, and preserving the laws, to be held frequently. 
The unhappy prevalence of the smallpox, from the month 
of March to that of September last, rendered a convention of 
Assembly within that time impracticable ; but we are ignor- 
ant of any reasons that could occasion the long interval from 
November, 1763, to last March ; within which time, circum- 
stances of a peculiar nature requii^ed a meeting of Assembly, 
which was prevented by prorogation. . . . Previously to 
this, and at the first moment of their assemblage in Septem- 
ber, 1765, they had passed resolves again.st the Stamp Act, 
and had deputed commissioners to the general Congress. 
And this remonsti-ance is here adverted to onlj' for the pur- 
pose of attesting that the same spirit which characterized 
their first Assembly proceedings after the passage of the 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 49 

Stamp Act, bad prevailed in the Colony from the first mo- 
ment the tax was proposed. 

"There were, however, other indications of public feeling 
which went, in advanceoffJl the Assembly transanctions, to 
demonstrate the general detestation of the measure by the 
people of Maryland. They had amongsr. them that admira- 
ble reflector of public sentiment, an established and well- 
regulated press, in the paper then conducted by Mr. Jonas 
Green, of Annapolis, uncler the name of The Maryland 
Gazette It was established (in the year 1745, and lias ever 
since been conducted by his descendants under that name. 
Venerable for its antiquity, in which, it is believed, it out- 
ranks every existing paper in the United States, it is rendered 
still more so by its devotion to the cause of liberty, from the 
very origin of our struggle for emancipation. Yet flourish- 
ing in the hands of his descendants, and sustained by his 
worth, it has been truly an 'evergreen.' . . . The inti- 
mation of the Ministry's intention to tax the Colonies vras 
first communicated in its number of 17th May, 1764; and 
from that period the tenor of its publications continually 
indicated its hostility to the measui^e. Its number of the 
18th April, 1765, announced the intention to suspend its pub- 
lication if the melancholy and alarming accounts wliich 
had just been received, of the probable passage of the Stamp 
Act should prove true. Its actual passage was communi- 
cated in terms of the highest indignation; and from that 
period the columns of this paper were continually crowded 
with publications illustrative of the rights of the Col( inies, 
and of the necessity of resistance. The operation of the act 
having commenced, the paper of the 10th October. 1765 was 
put into mourning, with the exiDressi^e motto: * The Mary- 
land Gazette expiring in the hopes of a resurrection. ' And 
its publication was shortly afterwards actually suspended 
until the 10th of December following, when it was revived 
with the avowal 'that it should be, as it had been, sacred 
to liberty, and consequently to virtue, i-eligicn, and the good 
and welfare of its country . ' These details, connected, as they 
are, with the history of the times, cannot be uninteresting; 
and they are due to one whose efforts and influence as an 
auxiliary in the cause of lil)erty vt'cre widely felt and highly 
estimated. His paper was a rara avis in that day — a govern- 
ment paper warring on the side of the people. 

"The English Ministry displayed some policy in the selec- 
tion of residents of the Colonies as oflacers to carry the 
Stamp Act into effect; but their selection proved, in the 
sequel, to be a decree of expatriation to those who accepted 
the appointment. It was peculiarly so to the person ap- 
pointed as stamp-distributor in Maryland. Zachariah Hood, 
the person alluded to, w^as a native of Maryland, and, at one 
period, a resident merchant of Annapolis. More of liis his- 



50 THE BIRTn OF THE REPCBLIC. 

to ry we know not; and if tho limit of tlie maxim be just, 
'Nil de raortuis nisi bonum,' we shoidd wish to know no 
more. His whole history may be summed up in one sen- 
tence — ' He was a willing instrument in the hands of tyran- 
nical Ministry, for the oppression of the people among whom 
he was born and lived.' His appointment was announced 
in a letter from London to a gentleman of Annapolis, pub- 
lished about the period of his arrival. ' Among the many 
other promotions of officers in the Colonies, |it remarks] we 
are credibly' informed that Z h H d, late a sojourn- 
ing merchant of the city of Annapolis, but at present 

Z h H d, Esq., of St. James', has, for his many 

eminent services to his King and country during the late 
war, got the commission of distributor of the stamps in that 
Province. This gentleman's conduct is highly approved of 
here, by all court-cringing politicians, since he is supposed to 
have wisely considered that, if hiscountrj^mustbe stamped, 
the blow would be easier borne from a native, than a for- 
eigner who might not be acquainted with their manners 
and institutions.' 

"Coming under such auspices and with such purposes, 
his arrival at Annapolis was welcomed with those marks of 
distinction which it was so customary to confer upon the 
stamp-distributors of that day, but, fortunately for him, 
they were bestowed upon his effigy." 

The following is the account of his reception published in 
Green's Gazette of August 29, 1765 : 

" Monday morning last, a considerable number of people, 
assertors of British- American privileges, met here to show 
their detestation of, and abhorrence to, some late tremen- 
dous attacks on liberty, and their dislike to a certain late-ar- 
rived officer, a native of this Province. They curiously 
dressed np the figure of a man, which they placed on a one- 
horse cart, malefactor-like, with some sheets of his paper in 
his hands befoi-e his face. In this manner they proceeded 
through the streets of town till noon, the bells at the same 
time tolling a solemn knell, when they proceeded to the hill; 
and after giving it the Mosaic law at the whipping-post, 
placed it in the pillory, from whence they took it and hung 
it to a gibbet erected for that purpose, and then sot fire to a 
tar-barrel underneath, till it fell into the barrel. By the 
many significant nods of the head while in the cart, it may 
be said to have gone off veiy penitently." 

The historian resumes : 

"The news of his arrival soon spread through the Prov- 
ince; and his patriotism was honored in the same significant 
manner at Baltimore, Elk Ridge, Predericktown, and other 
places. The character of these proceedings must not be 
misunderstood. They were not tlie heedless and unprovern- 
ablo movements of tumultuous spirits, nor the wanton out- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 51 

rages of men without character. They sprung from the 
just and settled indignation of a whole people. They were 
conducted with calmness and publicity, and were promoted 
by men of the highest talents and character. They were 
not mere personal indignities offered to the unworthy instru- 
ment of the Crown, but acts of deliberate and open defiance, 
intended to manifest, in a manner not to be misunderstood, 
their determined opposition to the Stamp Act, and their 
abhorrence of all who lent themselves to its enforcement. 
Amongst those who were prominent in the proceedings at 
Annapolis, was the distinguished Samuel Chase, whose en- 
ergies quickened all that he touched, and whose abilities 
illustrated all that he examined. . . . 

' ' Hood wanted the firmness even to attempt the execu- 
tion of the office which he had solicited ; and the public in- 
dignation which had been lavished upon his effigy at 
length taking a direction towards his person, he secretly 
absconded from the Province early in September, 1765, and 
never paused in his flight until he had reached New York 
and had taken refuge under the cannon of Fort St. George. 
He was the first and last stamp distributor of Maryland " 

In a note, the author gives tliis further account of the 
stamp-distributor : 

"Hood's flight was insufficient to save him from the 
common fate of the stamp disti'ibutors — a I'esignation by 
compulsion. He only escaped from the resentment of one 
Colony to be arrested by the sisterly indignation of another. 
Having taken up his residence on Long Island, he soon at- 
tracted the attention of the people, and the liberals at once 
determined (to use their own language) that, as he had by 
flight deprived the people of Maryland of that justice which 
they had a right to demand — the resi2:nation of an office cal- 
culated to enslave them, — they would take the affair into 
their own hands, and either compel him to resign, or send 
him back to Maryland as a fugitive from justice. 

"A party of volunteers accordingly assembled on the 28th 
of November, 1765, and surrounded the house on Long Island 
in which he was concealed. Escape was impossible, and 
poor Hood was hooded. He now threw himself upon their 
sympathies, and represented himself as one rather to be 
pitied than to be punished. His appeals to mercy were all 
unavailing; and his next attempt was at a compromise. He 
now desired that his word of honor might be received in 
lieu of his oath; and that the right might be reserved to him 
to hold his office if hereafter his countrymen should desire 
it. He was answered tliat, the people of Maryland having 
an absolute right to freedom, he must absolutely and uncon- 
ditionally renounce an office which gave him power to en- 
slave them ; and that, if this were not done, he should be 
delivered into the hands of an exasperated multitude, and 



52 THE BIRTU OF THE REPUBLIC. 

carried back to Maryland, with labels upon him signifying 
his oflSce and designs. Resistance was hopeless, and Hooa 
yielded. As soon as his abjuration was signed, he Avas ac- 
companied by upwards of one hundred gentlemen from 
Flushing to Jamaica, where it was regularly sworn to, and 
he was discharged. Like the similar abjurations of that 
day, it left no room for equivocation or mental reservation, 
and abounded with apologies and excuses utterly at vari- 
ance with the feelings of the individual, and only serving 
to render him contemptible and harmless." 

As has been stated, the General Assembly of Maryland, 
which met on the 23d of September, promptly apjiointed 
delegates to attend the General Congress, which was to meet 
in New York in October following. Strange to say, the 
Governor and Council concurred in this measure and in an 
appropriation to pay the expenses of the delegates: 

"I. Resolved unanimously. That the first adventurers and 
settlers of this Province of Maryland brought with them, 
and transmitted to their posterity, and all other his 
Majesty's subjects since inhabiting in this Province, all the 
liberties, privileges, franchises, and immunities that at any 
time have been held, enjoyed, and possessed by the people 
of Great Britain. 

"II. Resolved unanimously, That it was granted by 
Magna Charta, and other the good laws and statutes of 
England, and confirmed by the petition and bill of rights, 
that the subject should not be compelled to contribute to 
any tax, talhage, aid, or other like charges not set by com- 
mon consent of Parliament." 

Here follow extracts from the charter granted by Charles 
I. to Lord Baltimore, in exposition of which the Assembly 
further resolved, viz. : 

"IV, Resolved, That it is the unanimous opinion of this 
House that the said charter is declaratory of the constitu- 
tional rights and privileges of the freemen of this Province. 

"V. Resolved unanimously. That trials by juries are the 
grand bulwarks of liberty, the undoubted birthright of every 
Enghshman, and consequently of every British subject in 
America; and that the erecting other jurisdictions for the 
trial of matters of fact is unconstitutional, and renders the 
subject insecure in his liberty and property. 

" VI. Resolved, That it is the unanimous opinion of this 
House that it cannot, with any truth or propriety, be said 
that the freemen of this Province of Maryland are repre- 
sented in the British Parliament. 

'■ VII. Resolved unanimously, That his Majesty's liege 
people of tliis ancient Province have alwa.ys enjoyed the 
right of being governed by laws to which they themselves 
have conspnted, in the articles of taxes and internal polity; 
and that the same hath never been forfeited, or any other 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 53 

way yielded up, but hath been constantly recognized by the 
King and people of Great Britain. 

" VIII. Resolved, That it is the unanimous opinion of this 
House that the representatives of the freemen of this Prov- 
ince, in their legislative capacity, together with the other 
part of the legislature, have the sole right to lay taxes and 
impositions on the inhabitants of this Pi^ovince, or their 
property and effects ; and that the laying, imposing, levying, 
or collecting any tax on or from the inhabitants of Mary- 
land, under color of any other authority, is unconstitutional 
and a direct violation of the rights of the freemen of this 
Province." 

VIRGINIA. 

Mr. Wirt, in his life of Patrick Henry, gives a brilliant 
account of the case of the people against the parsons, at 
Hanover Court, in which the matchless eloquence of the 
" forest-born orator" achieved a triumph in favor of popular 
rights at the expense of law. It w^as a question of paying 
the tithes in the usual way, at the rate of 1500 pounds of 
tobacco, for each clergyman, or in inoney, at a fixed price, 
A great rise had taken place in the market value of the 
article ; and in consequence, in 1758, the Colonial Assembly 
had passed an act for compounding the tithes at about two- 
pence per pound, the old price, whereas the article was now 
worth two or three times as much. But the royal assent to 
this act of the Assembly having been refused, and it having 
been annulled, it of course had no force; and as the law 
stood, the parsons were entitled to receive the 1500 pounds 
of tobacco instead of the price in money. But in the face of 
this state of things, Henry induced the jury to give the 
clergy sixpence damages, his argument being that the 
people of the Colonies had the sole right to make laws for 
their government. This was in 1764. 

In regard to the Stamp Act, Mr. Wii't says : 

"This same year, 1764, is memorable for the origination 
of the great question which led finally to the independence 
of the United States. It has been said by a gentleman at 
least as well qualified to judge as any other now alive (Mr. 
Jefferson), that ' Mr. Henry certainly gave the first impulse 
to the ball of the Revolution.' In order to show the correct- 
ness of this position, it is proper to ascertain the precise 
point to which the controversy with Great Britain had 
advanced when Mr. Henry first presented himself in the 
character of a statesman. 

"In March, 1764, the British Parliament had passed reso- 
lutions preparatory to the levying a revenue on the Colonies 
by a stamp tax. These ro~olutions were communicated to 
the House of Burgesses of Virginia, through their committee 



64 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLlO. 

of correspondence, by the colonial agent, and, having been 
maturely considered, resnlted in the appointment of a 
special committee to prepare an address to the King, a 
memorial to the Lords, and a remonstrance to the House of 
Commons. On the 18th of December, 1764, these papers 
were reported and (after various amendments, which con- 
siderably diluted their spirit) received the concurrence of 
the Council. The reader will perceive on pei'using them 
that, while they affirm, in clear and strong terms, the con- 
stitutional exemption of the Colony from taxation by the 
British Parliament, they brealhe, nevertheless, a tone so 
suppliant, and exhibit such a picture of anticipated suffering 
from the pressure of the tax on the exhausted resources of 
the Colony, as to indicate that no opposition beyond remon- 
strance was at this time meditated." > 

Patrick Henry entered the Virginia House of Burgesses 
on the 2Uth day of May, 1763. Having waited in vain some 
time for some of the older members to take the lead in oppo- 
sition to the Stamp Act, he, although within three days of 
the close of the session, introduced his celebrated resolutions, 
Mr. Wirt says: " I will not withhold from the reader a note 
of this transaction from the pen of Mr. Henry himself. It 
is a curiosity, and highly worthy of preservation. After his 
death, there was found among his papers one sealed and thus 
indorsed: 'Inclosed are the resolutions of the Virginia 
Asi-^embly in 1765 concerning the Stamp Act. Let my exec- 
utors open this paper.' Within was found the following 
copy of the resolutions in Mr. Henry's handwriting: 

'' 'Resolved, That the first adventurers and settlers of this 
his Majesty's Colony and dominion, brought Avith them and 
transmitted to their posterity and all other his Majesty's 
subjects since inhabiting in this his Majesty's said Colony, 
all the privileges, franchises, and immunities that have at 
any time been held, enjoj' ed, and possessed by the people of 
Great Britain. 

" 'Resolved, That by two royal charters granted by King 
James the First, the Colonists aforesaid are declared entitled 
to all the privileges, liberties, and immunities of denizens 
and natural-born subjects to all intents and purposes as if 
they had been abiding and born within the realm of England. 

" ' Resolved, That the taxation of the people by themselves, 
or by persons cliosen by themselves to represent them, who 
can onlj- know what taxes the people are able to bear, and 
the easiest mode of raising them, and are equally affected by 
such taxes themselves, is the distinguishing characteristic 
of British freedom, and without which the ancient Constitu- 
tion cannot suljsist. 

'' ''Resolved, That his Mnjesty's liege people of this most 
ancient Colony have uninterru]itedly enjoyed the right of 
being thus governed by their (jwn Assembly in the article of 



TEE BIRTH OF TEE REPUBLIC. 55 

their taxes and internol polity; and. the same hath never 
been forfeited or any other way given up, but hath been 
constantly recognized by the King and people of Great 
Britain. 

' ' ' Resolved, That the General Assembly of this Colony have 
the sole right and power to levy taxes and impositions upon 
the inhabitants of this Colony; and that every attempt to 
vest such power in any person or persons whatsoever other 
than the General Assembly aforesaid has a manifest ten- 
dency to destroy British as well as American freedom.'" 

On the back of the paper containing these resolutions is 
the following indorsement, which is also in the handwriting 
of Mr. Henry himself: "The within resolutions in May, 
1785. They formed .the first opposition to the Stamp Act 
and the scheme of taxing America by the British Parliament, " 

Mr. Henry left town for home on the day that the resolu- 
tions were adopted — the last of the series by a majority of 
one vote ; and the next day, the opposite party, taking ad- 
vantage of his absence, voted to expunge the last resolution 
from the journals. Burke, in his History of Virginia, gives 
six resolutions with a preamble ; but Mr. Wirt expi-esses the 
confident opinion, in which he is sustained by Mr. Jeffersoia 
and by Mr. Paul Carrington, both of whom were present, 
that Burke's version, taken from "Prior Documents," is not 
genuine. He also regards the speech which Burke puts 
into the mouth of Henry as spurious. However this may 
be, the speech, at any rate, is very fine, and worthy of 
Henry's genius. It was on this occasion that Henry 
"entered into an historical enumeration of those examples 
of successful resistance to oppression which rendered glorious 
the annals of Rome and England, and conckided with this 
dreadful warning, wliich, connected with its subsequent 
fulfilment, seemed like the inspiration of prophecy:" 
'Csesar,' said he, 'had his Brutus, Charles his Cromwell, 
and [pausing] George the Third ' (here a cry of "Treason! 
treason !" was heard, supposed to issue from the chair; but 
with admirable presence of mind he proceeded) ' may profit 
by their examples. Sir, if this be treason, make tlie most 
of it." 

The following account of the disposition made of the 
stamp-distributor of Virginia is from Martin's History of 
North Carolina. Burke, the historian of Virginia, seems to 
have overlooked the affair entirely : 

"On the last week of October [says Martin] George 
Mercer, distributor of stamps for the Province of Virginia, 
landed at Hampton. He met with some rude treatment 
from the mob, who, by the interposition of some influential 
gentlemen, were prevailed on to disperse without any ill 
consequences following. When he arri\'ed in Williamsburg, 
as he was walking towards the capitol, on his way to the 



56 THE BlliTlI OF TUK HEPUBLIC. 

Governor's, he was accosted by a number of gentlemen from 
different parts of the Province (the General Court being 
tlieu sitting), wlio insisted on his immediately satisfying the 
company, which was constantly increasing, whether he in- 
tended to enter on the duties of Ins office. Seeing himself 
completely surrounded, lie answered that any reply he might 
then make would be attribntcd to fear, and begged to be 
allowed to wait on the Governor and Council in order to 
obtain correct information of the sentiments of the Colony, 
and afterwards meet liis countrymen and give them an 
answer. This seemed to give satis Taction, and he was ac- 
companied to the coffee house where the Governor, most 
of the Council, and a great numb, r of otlior gentlemen were 
assembled. The crowd in the mean while increased, and, 
growing impatient, insisted upon a more speedy and satis- 
factory answer, declaring they would not disperse till it was 
obtained; upon which, George Mercer, coming forward and 
promising a categorical answer by five o'clock the next 
evening, he met with no further molestation. 

" At the time appointed, he was met at the capitol by a 
vast concourse of people, among whom were the principal 
merchants in the Colony, when a committee chosen for the 
purpose informed him he was then to look upon himself as 
m the presence of the Colony, and demanded the answer he 
had on the preceding day promised them. He then addressed 
the meeting in a speech of considerable length, and concluded 
he would have been glad to have had it in his power to have 
acted in such a manner as would have justified him to his 
friends and countrymen in the Province, and to the persons 
from whom he derived his appointment ; but the time -illowed 
to him was so short that he had not been able t(~» discover 
that happy medium. He therefore entreated tlie gentlemen 
present to be referred to his future conduct, with liis assur- 
ance that he would not, directly or indirectly, by himself or 
his deputies, proceed in the execution of the act until he re- 
ceived further orders from England, and not tlien witliout 
the assent of the General Assembly of the Province. This 
declaration gave so general a satisfnction that he n^as inur.e- 
diately borne out of the capitol gate anud tlic acclamations 
of all persons present, and carried to the coffee-house, where 
an elegant entertainment was provided. On his anival, the 
acclnmations redoubled, drums beat, French horns and other 
musical instruments sounding. At night, the bells were 
set a-ringing, and the whole town illuminated." 



NORTH CAROLINA. 

The following account of the reception which the Stamp 
Act met with in North Carolina is taken from Martin's His- 



THE BlRTrl OF" THE BEPUBLtG. 57 

tory of the State. As has been stated in another place, the 
Lieutenant-governor, in anticipation of what the action of 
the Assembly would bo, judging from the tone of public 
feeling, prorogued that body from the 18th of May, until 
the 30th oc November, 1765, and again till March 12, 1766. 
The Colony was thus precluded from participating, by its 
delegates, in the General Congress, which was first proposed 
by Massaciiusets in June, and which met in New York in 
October. But this strategy did not prevent the people from 
giving expressions to their sentiments, nor, when the stamps 
an-ived, from making a summary disposition of them. Mar- 
tin says that, — 

"Meetings of the inhabitants of the towns of Edenton, 
Newbern, and Wihnington were called, and, in each, resolu- 
tions were entered [into] expressing their utter abhorrence 
of the late measures of the British Parliament and a hearty 
concurrence with the sentiments expressed by the inhabi- 
tants of the Northern Provinces. 



" In the Province of North Carolina, the people at all their 
public meetings manifested their high approbation of the 
proceedings of the inhabitants of the other Provinces; and 
Lieutenant-governor Tryon, judging from the temper of the 
people that it would be unsafe and dangerous to allow them 
the opportunity of expressing their feelings by allowing a 
session of the "legislative body in these days of ferment, 
on the 25th of October issued his proclamation to prorogue 
the General Assembly, which was to have met on the 30th 
of November, till the 12th of March, assigTiing, as a reason 
for this step, that there appeared to be no immediate neces- 
sity for their meecing at that time. 

" Early in the year [1766], the sloop-of-war the Diligence 
arrived in the Capo Fear, having on board the stamp paper 
destined for the use of the Province; and on the 6th of Jan- 
uary, the Governor issued a proclamation announcing this 
circumstance and calling on ail persons, authorized to act as 
distributors of the stamps, to make application therefor to the 
commander of the sloop. But on the first notice of the ap- 
proach of this vessel. Colonel John Ashe, of the Coimty of 
New Hanover, and Colonel Waddell of the County of Bruns- 
wick, having embodied the militia of those counties, 
marched at the head of them to the town of Brunswick, be- 
fore which she was anchored, and notified the commander 
of their determination to resist the landing of the stamps. It 
was judged best not to make the attempt. A party was left 
to watch the motions of the sloop, and the rest of the small 
army marched to the town of Wilmington, carrying with 
them one of her boats. Having fixed a mast in her with a 
flag, they hoisted her on a cart and drove triumphantly 



58 THK BIRTH OF TUE REPUBLIC. 

through the streets, the inhabitants all joining in the pro- 
cession; at nijilit tiio town was illunnnated. On the next 
day a ^rP^^t concourse of people, headed by Colonel Ashe, 
proceeded to the Governor's house and demanded to speak 
with James Houston, one of the Council, who had been ap- 
pointed stampmaster for the Province. The Governor at 
first declared his intention not to allow it unless Houston 
would come willingly; but the people thrcfitened to set fire 
to the house, and i)roeeeded to make preparations therefor. 
The Governor desired tlie colonel to step in and talk with 
the stampmaster, who, finding that he could not act in his 
office without rendering liimself obnoxious to the people, 
voluntardy accompanied the colonel to the street, and, fol- 
lowed by a great concourse of people, proceeded to the mar- 
ket-place, where he took a solemn oath not to proceed on 
the duties of his office. On which the people gave three 
cheers and conducted him back to the Governor's." 

In this o])positi3n to the Stamp Act, the people of North 
Carolina were simply acting in harmony with universal sen- 
timent of the other Colonists. But another grievance of a 
local character was productive of far more serious conse- 
quences, and was attended with immeasurably greater op- 
pression than would have followed the enforcement of the 
Stamp Act. 

The Regulation War. 

There are not many persons outside of North Carolina who 
are aware that the people of that Colony rebelled against 
the corrupt tyranny of the Colonial Government, and fought 
a battle in defence of their rights as early as May, 1771. 
The Colonial Governments were all what in modern phrase 
would be styled " Carpet-bag" governments. The high offi- 
cers, without exception, were either sent over from England 
or selected by the Crown with reference to their unquestion- 
ing devotion or obedience to the appointing power. Some 
of them turned out to be men of honor and character; but 
the rule was that they were corrupt, profligate, and tyran- 
nical—the willing instruments of an arbitrary Kins and 
Parliament. Even tlie best of them were as scrupulous in 
maintaining and advancing the Colonial policy of the Tory 
Government of Great Britain as they were in administering 
the laws. Wlioever from whatever cause has "despaired 
of the Republic," and beguil to i-egret the se]iai*ation fn^m 
the mother-country as a mistake of our ancesters, w(Hild do 
well to study carefully the Colonial history of the several 
States. He will not fail to find that whether in the New 
England, or in the Middle, or in the Southern Colonies, there 
was the same indifferpnce manifested by the British author- 
ities to the ri'^lits and welfare of the Colonies; the same 
Parliamentai-y and I'oyal interference, not for the good of 



TBE BIRTH OF THE UEPUBLIC. 59 

the Colonists, but for the profit of British proprietors of lib- 
eral gTants of Colonial lands; of British merchants trading 
with America; and of British profligates sent out hereto 
enrich themselves by the maladministration of American 
affairs. The case againt the mother-country is no less strong 
than it was so eloquently stated by Colonel Barre, in the 
House of Commons in 1766. When Charles Townsend, the 
Chancellor of the Exchequer, asked the question, " Will our 
American children, planted by oiu* care, nourished by our 
indulgence, and protected by our arms, grudge to contribute 
their mite to relieve us from our burdens?" Barre indig- 
nantly replied : ' ' They planted hj your care ! No, your op- 
pressions planted them in America. They fled from your 
tyranny to an uncultivated, inhospitable country; where 
they exposed themselves to almost every hardship, and to 
the cruelties of the savage foe. They nourished by your in- 
dulgence! Tliey grew by your neglect; your care for them 
was to send persons to rule them : deputies of deputies to 
some membei's of this House sent to spy out their liberties, 
to misrepresent their actions, and to prey upon them. They 
protected by your arms ! They have nobly taken up arms 
in your defence. Amidst their constant and laborious in- 
dustry, they have defended a country whose frontiers were 
drenched in blood, while its interior settlements yielded all 
their little savings to your emoluments." 

It is not creditable to the earlier historians of North Car- 
olina, Williamson and Martin, that they belittle the griev- 
ances of the people which led to the revolt of the Regula- 
tors, and take sides with their oppressors. But later writ- 
ers, without exception, after more thorough investigation, 
regard the maladministration of the Colonial Government 
as fully justifying the attempts of the people to reform it. 
The nature of this misgovernment was mainly though not 
entirely administrative. It consisted in the cori-upt and 
tyrannical conduct of the county officers, the clerks and 
registers of courts, the sheriffs and their deputies, and the 
justices of peace, who, following the example of England, 
were empowered to hold courts of pleas and quarter-ses- 
sions for the several counties, in addition to their ordinary 
duties as conservators of the peace. The judges of the supe- 
rior courts even, were charged with taking sides with the 
administi'ative officers, while the bar was charged with ex- 
tortion, and the exaction of illegal fees. This imhappy state 
of things existed to a greater or less degree, in nearly all 
the middle and upper countries, in which the class of "yeo- 
manry was most numerous, and where there were few of 
the wealthy and educated gentry. In the lower counties, 
where the latter class gave tone to society, official and petti- 
foging knavery could not have been successfully practised, 
but the ignorant and hunablc class of farmers who inhabited 



CO TUE BIRTH OF TIW REPUBLIC. 

the hill country were long the helpless though not uncom- 
plaining victims of the sharpei-s, until forbearance ceased 
to be a virtue. The result was that combinations were 
formed for their mutual prc^tection, first by petition and re- 
monstrance, and at Icn.gth by forcible resistance of the ille- 
gal demands upon them. These combinations were sponta- 
neous in the several counties, without concert between the 
inhabitants of different localities. Indeed, similar grievances 
existed in other Colonies about the same time; and partic- 
ularly in New Jersey and Maryland. In the former at 
least, the people made violent resistance to their knavish 
oppressors. 

It is unfortunate that Governor Tryon had the influence 
and address to enlist in his support on this occasion the 
leading gentleman of the low country, especially those about 
Wilmington — the very men who had been foremost in the 
nullification of the Stamp Act, and who were afterwards 
among the foremost Whig patriots of the Colony during the 
Revolution. TiiC consequence was that perhaps a majority 
of those who had struggled and fought for Colonial rights 
from 1767 to 1771 became Tories and took up arms for the 
Crown. As has been explained above, the Regulators were 
for the most part plain, uneducated farmers. There were 
exceptions to this rule, however; and among thera General 
Thomas Person, of Granville, who was a distinguished patriot 
of the Revolution. If he had been joined by the gentlemen 
of the low country who took the other side, there can be 
little doubt that the Regulators would have succceeded in 
repressing their grievances without bloodshed; and that 
Tryon would have taken sides with the people, instead of 
that of their oppressors. 

Tb.e leader in the organized opposition and resistance to 
the extortions of the officials was llerman Husbands, a Penn- 
sylvanian by birth, and a disciple of Fox and Penn by educa- 
tion. His residence was in Randolph County. His literary ac- 
quirements were very limited, as is apparent from his mea- 
gre and unsatisfactory history of the Regulation; but there 
is abundant evidence that he possessed a sound, shrewd un- 
derstanding; wliile his reputation among his neighbors w^as 
that of an honest man. His religious principles naturally 
inclined him to peace, but the manifold ii-ritations and op- 
pressions he endured, coupled with an aptitude and taste 
for popular leadership, gradually seduced nim into the use 
of "carnal weapons." Their quarrel, the people said, was 
not Avith the form of Government nor with the laws; but 
with the conduct of the inferior officers, in administering 
them. This was the statement of the Granville people, 
quoted by Husbands, and ado])tcd for those of Orange. The 
attorneys, it was alleged, exacted twice the amount of the 
tax fees in the most insignificant cases: and if any litiga- 



THE BIRTH OF TEE REPUBLIC. 61 

tion or contest arose in a case, the fees demanded equalled 
the value of the claiin. The clerks of court multiplied and 
ran up bills of fees many times greater than the laws al- 
lowed; the shcriiTs did likewise, and poor men standing 
alone had no redress. Hence the combinations, for the pur- 
pose of remonstrating with the ofHcers, and, that failing, pe- 
titioning the Governor. Even these invaluable privileges 
were denied, and meetings of the people held for such pur- 
poses were declared to be seditious. 

The people complained that the taxes were exorbitantly 
high. The Colonists were poor; money was extremely 
scarce; and in that day, the facilities for transportation over 
rough natural roads to distant markets were primitive. It 
was under such circumstances that Try on induced the As- 
sembly to appropriate fifteen thousand pounds sterhng 
(equal to seventy -five thousand dollars) for the erection of a 
Governor's house, or palace, as it was styled, at Newbern. 
This "palace" was at the time said to be the most stately 
residence in America— a fact of itself which characterizes the 
man, and the class to which he belonged, as recklessly indif- 
ferent to the welfaf'e of the people over whom he was sent 
to rule without their consent. This extravagant style of 
expenditure, in connection with the embezzlement of county 
and colonial funds, and the extortion of the officials, w^as 
well calculated to awaken a spirit of disaffection among the 
people. 

Repeated attempts were made to obtain redress by indict- 
ing the clerks and other officers who had been guilty of ex- 
tortion; and when they were found guilty in form by 
packed juries, the damage assessed was sixpence. At 
length the people, in their exasperation, began forcibly to 
resist the eiiforcement of legal process, and to release their 
friends from the hands of the sheriffs. They also demanded 
an exhibit from the collectors of taxes, of their accounts and 
of the laws under which they acted. Large public meetings 
were held for this purpose, from which deputations were 
sent to the officers, asking an explanation on these points. 
No definite or satisfactory answer could be obtained ; and 
after repeated efforts of this nature, there was an agreement 
to refuse the payment of taxes. Arrests and rescues fol- 
lowed ; and armed collisions with the authorities, amounting 
to war, was the result. 

Try on raised a force of several hundred men in the spring 
of 1771, and marched to the Enoe, near Hillsborough, in 
Orange County. On the way to that point he received rein- 
forcements from various quarters. The regulators, mus- 
tered by the activity of Husbands, are computed at not less 
than two thousand, without discipline, without organization 
even. One half of this rabble was poorly armed and 
equipped, with only a round or two of ammunition. There 



62 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

was skirmishing for a day or two, with varied success. But 
on the ir)th of May, the two parties approached within a few 
niilos of each other, near the Alamance Creek, in what is 
now a county of that name, but then in the southwest part 
of Orange. There was no stomach for the fight on either 
side; and the first day was spent in parleying. On the 16th 
the two forces met face to face ; and tlien it was not without 
diiliculty that Tryon, having summoned the rebels to sur- 
render, and being answered with defiance, could induce his 
troops to fire on the mob. He succeeded at length, however, 
and a fight of some hours ensued. Tryon's force was organ- 
ized into companies and battalions, well armed, and in some 
degree disciplmed. He had also the advantage of having 
nearly all the best-trained officers in the Province on his 
side; while the i-egiUators had no officer higher than the 
grade of captain who had ever seen service, and only two 
of these. A triumph of the government forces was a mat- 
ter of course, with a loss of nine killed and sixty woimded, 
against a loss by the regulators of twenty killed and a num- 
ber wound. The mob of regulators took to flight. Only 
about a dozen were made prisoners, of whom seven were 
executed — one of them a religious maniac. This was Cap- 
tain Few, who was, on Tryon's order, without a trial, hung 
on a tree on the evening of the battle. The murder of this 
unfortunate man was followed in a few days by the trial of 
the other prisoners by a court of oyer and terminer, all of 
whom wore condemned to death for high treason, and six 
of them executed. 

Thus ended the war of the Regulation. It was a genuine 
struggle for liberty, and deserves to have a place among the 
events in the history of Bi'itish rule in America, which led 
to the Revolution. 



SOUTH CAROLINA. 

Rumors of the arrival of the stamp paper having reached 
Charleston, the Assembly of the Colony addressed a letter 
to Lieutenant-governor Bull, inquiring if such were the fact; 
and if he were authorized to put the law in force. He re- 
plied in the affirmative, and that he received the act, and the 
power under it, from the Governor of the Province, Boone, 
who was then on a %asit to England. The Assembly, in re- 
ply, took exception to the channel through which the law 
came to the Province, the Governor when abroad, they 
held, having no more authority than a private citizen. The* 
Assembly came to the following resolutions on the subjer-t: 

"Resolved, That his IMajosty's subjpcts in Carolina owe 
the same allegiance to tlie Crown of Great Britain that is 
due from his subjects there. That his Majesty's liege sub- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 63 

jects of this Province are eii titled to all the inherent rights 
and liberties of his natural horn subjects within the king- 
dom of Great Britain. That the inhabitants of this Province 
appear also to be confii'ined in all the rights aforementioned, 
not only by their charter, but by an act of Parliament, 13th 
George II. That it is inseparably essential to the freedom of 
a people, and the undoubted right of Englishmen, that no 
taxes be imposed on them but with their own consent. That 
the people of this Province arc not, and from their local 
circumstances cannot be, represented in the House of Com- 
mons in Great Bi'itain ; and, further, that, in the opinion of 
this House, the several powers of legislation in America 
wei'e constituted in some measure upon the apprehension of 
this impracticability. That the only representatives of the 
people of this Province are persons chosen therein by them- 
selves ; and that no taxes ever have been or can be consti- 
tutionally imposed on them but by the legislature of this 
Province. That all supplies to the Crown being free gifts of 
the people, it is unreasonable, and inconsistent with the 
spirit of the British Constitution, for the people of Great 
Britain to grant to his Majesty the property of the people of 
this Province. That an act of Parliament entitled an ' Act 
for Granting and Applying Certain Stamp Duties on the Brit- 
ish Colonies and Plantations in America.' etc., by imposing 
taxes on the inhabitants of this Province, and the said act, 
and several other acts, by extending the jurisdiction of the 
Courts of Admiralty beyond its ancient limits, have a man- 
ifest tendency to subvert the riglits and liberties of this 
Province. That the duties imposed by several late acts of 
Parliament on the people of this Province will be extremely 
burdensome and gi'ievous, and, from the scarcity of gold 
and silver, the payment of them absolutely impracticable. 
That, as the profits of the trade of the people of this Prov- 
ince ultimately centre in Great Britain, to pay for the man- 
ufactures they are obliged to take from thence thej'^ event- 
ually contribute very largely to all the supplies granted to 
the Crown, etc." 

"Having thus expressed their sentiments," says Drayton, 
"the commons House of AssemV)ly appointed Thomas 
Lynch, Christopher Gadsden, and John Rutledge, a com- 
mittee to meet the committee from other Provinces at New 
York, in October following. . . . 

"While these matters were carrying on, the stamped pa- 
pers arx'ived in the various seaports of the Colonies, and 
greatly excited the feelings of the people. At this time a 
sloop of-war had arrived in Charleston harbor, with a por- 
tion of them, casting anchor under the cover of the cannon 
of Fort Johnson ; and a meeting of the citizens was eftected 
to devise means for preventing the landing of the same. 
The garrison of Fort Johnson was known to consist only ot 



64 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

a commandant, a gunner, and twelve or fourteen privates; 
and Lloyd, the commandant, mostly resided in Charleston; 
hence the command and care of tlie fort frequently devolved 
on the gunner. These things being considered, the meeting 
thought proper to appoint a committee for further purposes, 
and Daniel Cannon, William Williamson, Edward Weyman, 
and others were nominated members of the same; who, un- 
derstanding sufficiently the motives of their appointment 
and the wishes of the meeting, entered zealously on their 
duties respecting the matters they had in charge. 

" Whether the government was informed of these meas- 
ures is not ascei'taincd ; but the public ferment was known 
to be so great, it was deemed advisable not to bring the 
stamped papers up to Charleston, but to land them at 
Fort Johnson. The committee soon received information of 
this proceeding; and a private meeting of confidential citi- 
zens being called, it was resolved, the committee be author- 
ized to obtain the stamped paper so deposited at the f(*rt, 
and, to furnish the means of doing so, that a body of volun- 
teer should be selected and procured by them with the ut- 
most prom]itnoss and success. Accordingl.y, abovit one hun- 
dred and fifty volunteers were soon organized and armed 
for the purpose; and two nights after, boats being provided 
at Lamboll's Bridge, on the West and South Bay, they formed 
and marched towards that place for embarkation. From 
thence, they proceeded in boats across Ashley River; and 
landed at twelve o'clock at night, on James' Island, between 
Styles' plantation and the fort. They then proceeded 
towards the fort; and halting at a small distance from it, 
a reconnoitering party was sent forward. This party pro- 
ceeded to the di-awbridge unnoticed or unchallenged by 
sentries, and, finding it down, through the omission of the 
garrison, they immediately returned and reported the same. 
The whole body of volunteers then advanced upon the fort; 
and arriving at the bridge, they crossed it without opposi- 
tion, pressed through the main gate, which was not secured, 
and immediately possessed themselves of the fort. Only 
one soldier was found awake ; and before he could give the 
alarm, the remainder of the garrison was se?ured except 
Governor Lloyd, [the commander was so called,] who had 
not slept there tliat night. The garrison were then placed 
under guai'd, the bridge was drawn up, and a search com- 
menced for the obnoxious stamped i)aper. This, to the 
gi'eat joy of the volunteers, was at length found in one of 
the rooms of the barracks, and a guard was placed o\'cr it. 
Preparations were then made for maintaining the fort 
against any attack which might be made upon it by the 
sloop-of-war when daylight should arrive; and for this 
purpose the cannon on the platforms were leaded Avith ball 
and grape-shot; matches were prepared, and a number of 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 65 

men were stationed at each gun ; and a flag showing a blue 
field with three white crescents, which the volunteers had 
brought with them for the purpose, was hoisted on the flag- 
staff of the fort. When daylight appeared, the crescent 
banner waved gayly on the wind, and soon attracted the at- 
tention of the sloop-of-war. A boat was then despatched 
from her to ascertain the cause of so unusual a display, and 
persons were sent frona the fort to meet the boat at the land- 
ing place, where, on the landing of the British officer, he in- 
quired the meaning of the flag; on which he was invited 
into the fort, and was told he would then be informed. At 
fii'st he appeared doubtful whether he should proceed ; but 
on being assured protection, and that he would be allowed 
to return to his boat, he accepted of the invitation. On his 
arrival in the fort, ho v.-as taken along the j^latforms, where 
he found each gun manned and loaded, and the fort pre- 
pared for action ; ho was also shovv-n the late garrison under 
a guard as prisoners. When the impression had been made 
upon him which was intended, he was told it was the fixed 
determination of the volunteers to proceed to burn all the 
stamped paper which they had seized unless the commanding 
ofiicer would pledge his honor immediately to receive it on 
board and forthwitli de])art with it. It was further intimat- 
ed to him, that if the sloop should fire on the fort, they were 
resolved to repel force by force; and to these matters an 
answer w^as requested from the sloop-of-war as soon as pos- 
sible. The officer then took his leave, and returned in the 
boat. In two hours he returned with the boats of the sloop, 
saying his commander would receive the stamped papers 
and forthwith depart, v.dien they were delivered to him; 
and, returning with them to the sloop, she weighed anchor 
in the afternoon and proceeded to sea. The object of the 
expedition being so happily effected, the garrison were re- 
leased from confinement and put in possession of the fort; 
and the volunteei'S returned with their colors to Charles- 
ton, by the same way in which they had proceeded, hav- 
ing fulfilled the wishes and expectations of their fellow-citi- 
zens, without injuring or hurting any person whatsoever." 
This bold enterprise ended the attempt to enforce the 
Stamp Act in South Carolina. A suspicion was awakened 
in the minds of some, that certain of the officials were in 
possession of stamped paper, and that they only waited for 
tlie excitement to subside, wlien they would attempt to use 
the stamps. The result was that their houses were searched 
by the mob, not in the most delicate way, but no stamps 
were found ; and the public mind then quieted down. 



66 THE BIBTE OF THE REPUBLIC. 

GEORGIA. 

From Stevens' History of Georgia. 

"As soon as Mr. Wylly, the speaker of the commons 
House of Assembly, received the letter (from Massachusetts), 
he despatched exin-csscs to the members, and sixteen mem- 
bers—nearly two thirds of the entire number — responded to 
his call, by convening in Savannali on the 2d of September, 
17G3. This body replied to the Massachusetts resolutions 
by a letter intimating their hearty co-operation in every 
measure for ihe sup])ort of their common rights ; but through 
the influence of Governor Wright, they were prevented 
from sending delegates to the proposed Congi'ess (at New 
York)." 

"On the 5th of December (1765), his Majesty's ship Speed- 
well, Captain Fanshawe, with the stamps, arrived in the 
river, and the papers were secretly transferred to Fort Hal- 
ifax, and placed under the care of the commissarj- ; for the 
'Liberty Boys,' as they were then termed, had entered 
into an association to prevent the distribution of the papers, 
and to compel the officer to resign as soon as he arrived. 
To oppose these measures, Governor Wright summoned all 
his energies, and labored day and night, in public and in 
private, and, by his commanding influence, ably seconded 
by his Council, was partially successful. Secret meetings, 
however, were often held, all business was stopped, and the 
Province remained in a state of anxious agitation. . . . 
, "On the 2d of January, 1766, about 3 p.m., Captains 
Millodge and Powell informed the Governor that nearly two 
hundred Liberty Boys had assembled together, threaten- 
ing to break open the fort and destroy the papers. The 
Governor immediately ordered the two companies of rang- 
ers, numbering fiftj^-four men, to attend him, and marched 
on the fort, took out the stamps, placed tliem in a cart, and, 
escorted by the military, conveyed them to the guard-house. 
The people looked on in sullen silence, which gave the Gov- 
ernor so much alarm that for many days he kept a guard 
of forty men over his house, and during four nights was in 
such anxiety and fear that he did not remove his clothes." 

The next day (January 3d), the Governor was informed 
of the arrival of Mr. Angus, the stamp distributor, at Tybee, 
and took precautions to have him brouglit in great secrecy 
up to Savannah, where he was quartered in the Governor's 
residence. But even in that retreat, guarded by soldiers, 
the stamp-distributor felt insecure, and in a fortnight left 
the town. The whole Pi-ovince sympathized with the peo- 
ple of Savannah; and toward the close of January, six hun- 
dred men assembled within a few miles of the town, and 
informed the Governor that, unless the stamjjs were removed, 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 67 

they would march into the town, destroy the fort and his 
dwelhng, as well as the stamps. He accordingly sent the 
stamps down to Fort George, at Cockspur Island, under 
charge of the rangers. "But even this was not deemed 
su&cient security, and on the 3d of February they were 
once more removed, and deposited on board the man-of-war 
Speedwell, which had brought them to the Colony." 

A riotous meeting took place, at which the Governor was 
burned in effigy. 

There being some sixty vessels in the harbor, the reso- 
lution of the people was so far overcome by the private 
interest of the merchants as to admit of the sale of stamps 
necessary to secure clearances. But the courts were entire- 
ly closed and all legal transactions suspended. The relax- 
ation, as it regarded the shipping interest, however, created 
great indignation in South Carolina. 



CHAPTER II. 



RESOLUTIONS OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS IN REGARD TO MASSA- 
CHUSETTS. 

In the House of Lords, December 15, 1768, a series of 
resolutions were adopted with reference to the condition of 
affairs in Massachusetts Bay. It was resolved that the res- 
olutions and proceedings of the Massachusetts Assembly 
which deny the right of ParKament to pass laws that bind 
the Colonies in all cases whatsoever "are illegal, unconsti- 
tutional, and derogatory of the rights of the Crown and 
Parliament of Great Britain." 

"That the resolution of the House of Representatives of 
that Province, to write letters to the several Houses of Rep- 
resentatives, of the British Colonies desiring them to join in 
petitions, which deny or draw in question the right of Par- 
liament to impose duties or taxes on his Majesty's subjects 
in America, 'are proceedings of the most unwarrantable 
and dangerous nature, calculated to inflame the minds of his 
Majesty's subjects in the other Colonies, tending to create 
unlawful combinations, repugnant to the laws of Great 
Britain, and subversive of the Constitution. 

" That the town of Boston has for some time past been in 
a state of great disorder and confusion, and been disturbed 
by riot and tumults. That neither the Council of the Prov- 
ince nor the civil magistrates did exert their authority for 
suppressing the riots and tumvdts. 

"That the preservation of the public peace became im- 
practicable without the aid of a military force to support 
the civil magistrates and the officers of the revenue. 

"That the resolutions and proceedings of the town meet- 



68 THE BIRTU OF THE REPUBLIC. 

ings in Boston on the 14th of June and 12th of September 
' wei'e illegal and unconstitutional, and calculated to excite 
sedition and insurrections in liis Majesty's Province of 
Massachusetts Bay.' 

"That the appointment, at the town meeting on the 13th 
of September, of a convention to be held in the town of Bos- 
ton on the 22d of that month, to consist of deputies from 
the several towns and districts in the Province of the Massa- 
chusetts Bay, and the issuing a precept by the select-men of 
the town of Boston to each of the said towns and districts, 
for the election of said deputies, were proceedings subver- 
sive of his Majesty's government, and evidently manifesting 
a design in the inhabitants of the said town of Boston to set 
up a new and unconstitutional authority independent of the 
Crown of Great Britain. 

"That the elections by the several towns and districts, of 
deputies to sit in the said convention, and the meeting of 
such convention, ' were daring insults offered to his Majes- 
ty's authority, and audacious usurpations of the powers of 
government.' 

These resolutions were adopted by the House of Commons, 
with slight verbal amendments. The address agreed to by 
the Lords was also adopted by the Commons with a single 
verbal change. As agreed to by both Houses and sent up 
to the King, it is as follows : 

"And the Duke of Bedford reported from the committee 
an address, drawn by them, as follows : 

"'Most Gracious Sovereign: 

" ' We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the 
Lords, spiritual and temporal, in Parliament assembled, 
return your Majesty our humble thanks for the communi- 
cation your Majesty has been graciously pleased to make to 
your Parliament of several papers relative to public trans- 
actions in your Majesty's Province of Massachusetts Bay. 

"We beg leave to express to your Majesty our sincere 
satisfaction in the measures which your Majesty has pur- 
sued for supporting the Constitution and for inducing a due 
obedience to the authority of the Legislatiire ; and to give 
your ^Majesty the strongest assurances that we will effect- 
ually stand by and support your Majesty in such further 
measures as may be found necessary to maintain the civil 
magistrates in a due execution of the laws within your 
Majesty's Province of Massachusetts Bay ; and as we con- 
ceive that nothing can be more immediately necessary, 
either for the maintenance of your Majesty's'authority in 
the said Province, or for guarding your Majesty s subjects 
therein from being further deluded by the arts of wieked 
and designing men than to j»roeeed in the most speedy and 
effectual manner for bringing to condign punishment the 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 69 

chief authors and instigators of the late disorders, — we most 
humbly beseech your Majesty that you will be graciously 
pleased to direct your Majesty's Governor of Massachusetts 
Bay to take the most effectual methods for securing the 
fullest information that can be obtained touching all treasons 
or misprissions of treason committed within his Government 
since the thirtieth day of December, one thousand seven 
hundred and sixty-seven, and to transmit the same, to- 
gether with the names of the persons who were most active 
in the commission of such offences, to one of your Majesty's 
principal Secretaries of State in order that your Majesty 
may issue a special commission for inquiry of, hearing, and 
determining the said offences, within this realm, pursuant 
to the provisions of the statute of the thirty-lifth year of 
the reigii of King Henry the Eighth in case your Majesty 
shall, upon receiving the said information, see sufficient 
gi'ound for such a proceeding,' " 

The following is the Act of 35th Henry VIII. referred to 
in the foregoing proceedings: 

"Cap. 11. 

"An act for the trial of treasons committed out of the 
King's dominions (35th Henry VIII. 1543). 

"I. Forasmuch as some doubts and questions have been 
moved that certain kinds of treasons, misprisons, and con- 
cealments of treasons done, perpetrated, or committed out 
of the King's Majesty's realm of England, and other his 
Grace's dominions cannot, nor may by the common laws of 
this realm, be inquired of, heard, and determined within this 
his said realm of England: (2) for a plain remedy, order, 
and declaration therein to be had and made, be it enacted 
by authority of this present Parliament, That all manner of 
offences, being already made and declared, or hereafter to 
be made or declared, by any of the laws and statutes of this 
realm to be treasons, misprisons of treasons or conceal- 
ments of treasons, and done, perpetrated, or committed, or 
hereafter to be done, perpetrated, or committed by any per- 
son or persons out of this realm of England, shall be from 
henceforth inquired of, heard, and determined before the 
King's Justices of his Bench for pleas to be holden before 
himself, by good and lawful men of the same shii-e where 
the said bench shall sit and be kept ; (3) or else before such 
commissioners, and in such shire of the realm, as shall be 
assigned by the King's Majesty's Commission, and by good 
and lawful men of the same shire, in like manner and form, 
to all intents and purposes, as ff such treasons, misprisons 
of treasons, or concealments of treasons had been done, 
perpetrated, and committed within the same shire where 



70 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

they shall be so inquired of, heard, and determined, as is 
aforesaid. 

"II. Provided always, That if any of the peers of this 
realm shall happen to he indicted of any such treasons, or 
other oifencos aforesaid, by the authority of this act, that 
then after such indictment, they shall have their trial by 
their peers in such like manner and form as hath heretofore 
been accustomed. 

' ' House of Lords. 

" Tuesday, February 7, 1775. 

" A message was brought from the House of Commons by 
the Lord George Germaine and others, to desire a confer- 
ence with this House upon the state of his ]\Ia3esty's Colo- 
rdes in North America. To which the House agreed. The 
messengers were again called in and told ' that the Lords 
agree to a conference, as is desired, and appoint the same 
presently in the Painted Chamber.' 

"The House being informed 'that the managers for the 
Commons were ready for the conference in the Painted 
Chamber.' 

"The names of the managers for the Lords were called 
over, and the House was adjourned during pleasure and the 
Lords went to the conference; 

"Which being ended, the House resumed, and the Lord 
President reported ' that they had met the managers for 
the Commons at the conference,' which, on the part of the 
Commons, was managed by the Lord North ; who acquainted 
the managers for the Lords ' that they, having taken into 
their consideration the state of his Majesty's Colonies in 
North America, have agreed upon an address to be pre- 
sented to his Majesty,' to which they desire the concurrence 
of this House. Then his Lordship read the address delivered 
at the said conference as follows: 

"'Most Gracious Sovereign: 

" ' We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects the 
. . . Commons, in Parliament assembled, return your Ma- 
jesty our most hinnble thanks for having been graciously 
pleased to communicate to us the several pa])ers relating to 
the present state of tlie British Colonies in America, which 
by ycur Majesty's command have been laid before us. We 
have taken theni into our most serious considei'ation. and 
we find that a part of your Ma jestj-'s subjects in the Prov- 
ince of Massachusetts Bay have proceeded so far as to resist 
the authority of theSujn'eme Legislature; that a rebellion 
at this time actually exists within the said Province; ani 
we see with the utmost concern tliat tliey have been coun- 
tenanced and encouraged by imlawful combinations and 
engagements entered into by your i\Iajesty's subjects in 



TEE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 71 

several of the other Colonies to the injury and oppression of 
many of their innocent fellow-subjects resident within the 
kingdom of Great Britain and the rest of your Majesty's 
dominions. This conduct on their pai-t appears to us the 
more inexcusable when we consider ^\'1th how much temper 
your Majesty and the two Houses of Parliament have acted 
in support of the laws and constitution of Great Britain. 
_We can never so far desert the trust reposed in us as to re- 
linquish any part of the sovereign authority over all your 
Majesty's dominions, which, by law, is vested in your 
Majesty and the two Houses of Parliament; and the con- 
duct of many persons in several of the Colonies during the 
late disturbances is alone sufficient to convince us how neces- 
sary the power is for the protection of the lives and fortunes 
of all your Majesty's subjects. 

" 'We ever have been and always shall be ready to pay 
attention and regard to any real grievances of any of your 
Majesty's subjects which shall in a dutiful and constitutional 
manner be laid before us ; and whenever any of the Colonies 
shall make a proper application to us, we shall be ready to 
afford them every just and reasonable indulgence. At the 
same time we consider it as our indispensable duty humbly 
to beseech your Majesty that you will take the most effectual 
measures to enforce due obedience to the laws and authority 
of bhe Supreme Legislature; and we beg leave, in the most 
solemn manner, to assure your Majesty that it is our fixed 
resolution, at the hazard of our lives and properties, to stand 
by your Majesty against all rebellious attempts in the main- 
tenance of the just rights of your Majesty and the two 
Houses of Parliament.' " 

Copy of a resolution of the House of Commons, 27th Feb- 
ruary, 1775, inclosed by the Earl of Dar^tmouth, in his cir- 
cular-letter to the Governors of the Colonies, dated March 
3, 1775: 

'^Resolved, That when the Governor, Council, and 
Assembly, or General Court of any of his Majesty's Prov- 
inces or Colonies in America shall propose to make pro- 
vision, according to the condition, circumstances, and situa- 
tion of such Province or Colony, for contributing their pro- 
portion to the common defence (such proportion to be raised 
under the authority of the General Court or General Assem- 
bly of such Pi'ovince or Colony, and disposable by Parlia- 
ment), and shall engage to make provision also for the sup- 
port of the civil government and the administration of 
justice in such Province or Colony, it will be proper, if such 
pi'oposal shall be approved by his Majesty and the two 
Houses of Parliament, and for so long as such provision 
shall be made accordingly, to forbear in respect of such 
Province or Colony, to levy any duty, tax, or assessment, 
or to impose any further duty, tax, or assessment, except 



72 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

only such duties as it may be expedient to continue to levy 
or to impose for the regulation of commerce ; the net produce 
of the duties last mentioned to be carried to the account af 
such Province or Colony respectively." 

Letter of John Pownall, Secretary to the Board of Trade, 
to the Governors of the several Colonies in North America: 

" WniTEHALL, April 5, 1775. 

" Sir: I have the honor to send you herewith, by Lord Dart- 
mouth's directions, an act of Parliament to which his Majesty 
gave the royal assent on l^'riday last, entitled, 'An act to 
restrain the trade and commerce of the Provinces of Massa- 
chusetts Bay and New Hampshire, and Colonies of Connecti- 
cut and Rhode Island and Pi-ovidence Plantation, in North 
America, to Great Britain, Ireland, and the British islands 
in the West Indies, and to prohibit such Provinces and 
Colonies from carrying on any fishery on the banks of New- 
foundland or other places therein mentioned, under certain 
conditions and limitations,' and Iain to desire that you bo 
pleased to cause the said act to be made public in such man- 
ner as has been usual on like occasions. 

" I am, sir, your obedient, humble servant, 

"John Pownall." 



CHAPTER III. 

THE BEGINNING OF THE END. 

'^'Proceedings of the Congress held at Philadelphia. 

"September 5, 1774. 

" A NUMBER of the delegates chosen and appointed by the 
several Colonies and Provinces in North America, to meet 
and hold a Congress at Philadelphia, assembled at the Car- 
penter's Hall. 

" Tuesday, Sept. G, 1774, 10 o'clock a.m. 

"The Congress met according to adjoiu-nment. 

"Present — The same members as ycstei'daj', and more- 
over, from the Colony of Virginia, Richard Henry Lee, Esq. 

"The Congress resuming the consideration of rules of con- 
duct to be observed in debating and determining the ques- 
tions that come under consideration, — 

' ' Resolved, That in detennining questions in this Congress 
eacli Colony or Province shall have one vote, the Congress 
not being possessed of or at present able to procure proper 
materials lor ascertaining the importance of each Colony. 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 73 

' ' Resolved, That no person sliall speak more than twice 
on the same point without leave of the Congress. 

"Eesolved, That no question shall be determined the day 
on which it is agitated and debated if any one of the Colo- 
nies desires the determination postponed to another day. 

"Eesolved, That the doors be kept shut during the time of 
business, and that the members consider themselves under 
the strongest obUgations of honor to keep the proceedings 
secret until the majority shall direct them to be made 
public. 

" Resolved unanimously. That a committee be appointed 
to state the rights of the Colonies in general, the several in- 
stances in which these rights are violated or infringed, and 
the means most i^roper to be pursued for obtaining a restora- 
tion of them. 

"Ordered, That the appointment of the committee and 
the nmnber of which it shall consist be deferred until to- 
morrow. 

' ' Resolved, That a committee be appointed to examine, and 
report the several statutes which affect the trade and manu- 
factures of the Colonies. Same order as above respecting 
the appointment and number of this committee. 

"Resolved, That the Rev. Mr. Duche. be desired to open 
the Congress to-morrow morning, with prayers, at the Car- 
penter's Hall, at 9 o'clock. 

"Adjourned to 5 o'clock this afternoon. 

"Wednesday, Sept. 14, 1774. 

" The Congress met according to adjournment. 

"William Hooper and Joseph Hewes, Esqrs., two of the 
deputies from North Carolina, attended the Congress and 
produced their credentials. Henry Wisner, a delegate from 
the county of Orange, in the Colony of New York, appeared 
at Congress and produced a certificate of his election by the 
said county, which, being read and approved, he took his seat 
in Congress as a deputy for the Colony of New York. 

George Ross, Esq. , one of the delegates for the Province of 
Pennsylvania, and John Alsop, Esq., one of the delegates for 
the Colony of New York, appeared and took their seats in 
Congress. 

"The delegates from the Province of Massachusetts Bay, 
agreeable to a request from the joint committees of every 
town and district in the county of Middlesex in the said 
Province, communicated to the Congress the proceedings of 
those committees at Concord, on the 30th and 31st days of 
August last, which wei'C read. 

" Adjourned till to-morrow at 9 o'clock. 

" Saturday, Sept. 17, 1774, a.m. 
"The Congress met according to adjournment. 
"Richard Caswell, Esq., one of the deputies from North 
Carolina, appeared and took his seat in Congress. 



74 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

" The resolutions entered into by the delegates from the 
several towns and districts in the county of Suffolk, in the 
Province of Massachusetts Bay. on Tuesday the 6th instant, 
and their address to his Excellency, Governor Gage, dated 
the 9th instant, were laid before the Congress. 

" The Congress taking the foregoing resolutions into con- 
sideration : 

"Resolved, unanimously. That this assembly deeply feels 
the suffering of their countrymen in the Massachusetts Bay, 
under the operation of the late unjust, cruel, and oppressive 
acts of the British Parliament ; that they most thoroughly 
approve the wisdom and fortitude with which opposition to 
these wicked ministerial measures has hitherto been con- 
ducted» and they earnestly recommend to their bretlu-en a 
perseverance in "the same firm and temperate conduct as ex- 
pressed in the resolutions determined upon at a meeting of 
the delegates for the county of Suffolk on Tuesday the 6th 
instant, trusting that the effect of the united efforts of North 
America in their behalf, will carry such conviction to the 
British nation of the unwise, unjust, and ruinous policy of 
the present administration, as quickly to introduce better 
men and wiser measures. 

"Resolved unanimously, That contributions from all the 
Colonies for supplying the necessities and alleviating the 
distresses of our brethren at Boston, ought to be continued 
in such manner, and so long as their occasions may require. 

" Oi'dei-ed, That a copy of the above resolutions be trans- 
mitted to Boston by the President. 

" Ordered. That these resolutions, together with the reso- 
lutions of the county of Suffolk, be published in the news- 
papers. 

"The committee appointed to examine and report the 
several statutes which affect the trade and manufactures of 
the Colonies brought in their report, which was ordered to 
lie on the table. 

"Adjourned till Monday morning. 

" Thursday, Sept. 22, 1774. 

" The Congress met according to adjournment. 

"Upon motion, 

"Resolved unanimously, That the Congress request the 
merchants and others in the several Colonies not to send to 
Great Britain any oi'ders for goods, and to direct the execu- 
tion of all orders already sent, to be delayed or suspended, 
until the sense of the Congress on the means to be taken for 
the preservation of the liberties of America is made public. 

"Ordoi-ed, That this resolution be made public by hand- 
bills, and by publishing it in the nowspnpers. 

" The conmiittee appointed to state the rights of the Colo- 
nies, etc., having brought in a report of the rights, the same 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 75 

was read, and the consideration of it deferred till Saturday- 
next. 

"Ordered, That a copy of this report be made for each 
Colony. 

"Saturday, Sept. 24, 1774, a.m. 

' ' The Congress entered upon the consideration of the re- 
port referred to this day, and, after some debate, upon mo- 
tion, 

"Eesolved, That the Congress do confine themselves at 
present to the consideration of such rights only as have been 
infringed by acts of the British Parhament since the year 
1763, postponing the further consideration of the general 
state of American rights to a future day. 

"Hereupon the committee appointed to state the rights, 
etc., brought in a report of the infringements and violations 
of American rights, which being read, upon motion, 

"Resolved, That the consideration of this Report be de- 
ferred till Monday, and that the Congress in the mean time 
deliberate on the means most proper to be pursued for a res- 
toration of our rights. 

' 'After some debate on that subject, the Congress adjourned. 

"Monday, Sept. 26, 1774, a.m. 

"The Congress met according to adjournment. 

"John Herring, Esq., a deputy from Orange County, in 
the Colony of New York, appeared this morning, and took 
his seat as a delegate from that Colony. 

" Tuesday, Sept. 27, 1774, a.m. 

' ' The Congress met according to adjournment, and, resum- 
ing the consideration of the means most proper to be used 
for a restoi-ation of American rights, 

"Resolved unanimously. That, from and after the 1st day 
of December next, there be no importation into British 
America from Great Britain or Ireland, of any goods, wares, 
or merchandise whatsoever, or, from any other place, of any 
such goods, wares, or merchandise as shall have been ex- 
ported from Great Britaiii or Ireland; and that no such 
goods, wares, or merchandise imported after the said 1st day 
of December next be used or purchased. 

"Adjourned till to-morrow. 

" Saturday, Oct. 1, 1774. 

"Simon Boerum, Esq., appeared in Congress as a deputy 
from King's County, in the Colony of New York, and pro- 
duced the credentials of his election, which, being read and 
approved, he took his seat as a delegate for that Colony. 

"The Congress, resuming the consideraton of the means, 
etc., upon motion, 

" Resolved unanimously. That a loyal address to his 
Majesty be prepared, dutifully requesting the royal atten- 



76 THE BIHTR OF THE REPUBLIC. 

tion to the grievances that alarm and distress his Majesty's 
faithful subjects in North America, and entreating his Ma- 
jesty's gracious interposition for the removal of such griev- 
ances, thereby to restore between Great Britain and the 
Colonies that harmony so necessary to the happiness of the 
British empire, and so ardently desired by all America. 

"Agreed, That jMr. Lee, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Johnson, Mr. 
Henry, and Mr. J. Rutledge be a committee to prepare an 
address to his Majesty. 

"Saturday, Octobers, 1774. 

"The Congress resumed the consideration of the letter 
from Boston ; and upon motion, 

"Resolved, That this Congress approve the opposition of 
the inhabitants of the Massachusetts Bay to the execution 
of the late acts of Parliaments ; and if the same shall be at- 
tempted to be carried into execution by force, in such case 
all America ought to support them in their opposition. 

" Tuesday, October 11, 1774. 

"Resolved unanimously, That a memorial be prepared 
to the people of British America, stating to them the neces- 
sity of a firm, united, and invariable observation of the meas- 
ures recommended by the Congress, as they tender the in- 
valuable rights and liberties derived to them from the laws 
and Constitution of their country. 

"Also that an address be prepared to the people of Great 
Britain. Mr. Lee, Mr. Livingston, and Mr. Jay are appoint- 
ed a committee to prepare a draft of the memorial and ad- 
dress. 

" Friday, October 14, 1774. 

" The Congress met according to adjournment, and resum- 
ing the consideration of the subject under debate, came into 
the following resolutions: 

"Whereas, Since the close of the last war, the British 
Parliament, claiming a power of right to bind the people of 
America by statute in all cases whatsoever, hath in some 
acts expressly imposed taxes on them, and in others, under 
various pretences, but in fact for the purpose of i-aising a 
revenue, hath imposed rates and duties payable in these 
Colonies, established a board of commissioners with uncon- 
stitutional powers, and extCxided the jurisdiction of Courts 
of Admirality, not only for collecting the said duties, but for 
the trial of causes merely arising within the body of a 
county ; 

"And whereas. In consequence of other statutes, judges 
who before held only estates at will in their offices, have 
been made dependent on the Crown alone for their salaries, 
and standing armies kept in times of peace; and it has late- 
ly been resolved in PiU'liament that by force of a statute 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 77 

made in the thirty-fifth year of the reign of King Henry 
the Eighth, Colonists may be transported to England, and 
tried there upon accusatii >ns for treason, and misprisons, or 
concealments of treason, committed in the Colonies, and by 
a late statute such trials have been directed in cases therein 
mentioned ; 

"And whereas. In the last session of Parliament, three 
statutes were made, one entitled ' An Act to Discontinue in 
Such Manner and for Such Time as Therein Mentioned, the 
Landing and Discharging, Lading or Shipping, of Goods, 
Wares, and Merchandise at the Town and Within the Harbor 
of Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in North 
America ;' another entitled ' An Act for the Better Regulating 
the Government of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in 
New England ;' and another entitled ' An Act for the Impar- 
tial Administration of Justice in the Cases of Persons Ques- 
tioned for any Act Done by Them in the Execution of the Law, 
or for the Suppression of Riots and Tumults in the Province 
of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England ;' and another 
statute was then made, ' for making more effectual provi- 
sion for the government of the Province of Quebec,' etc. ;— aU 
which statutes are impolitic, unjust, and ci'uel, as well as 
unconstitutional and most dangerous and destructive of 
American rights ; 

' ' And whereas, Assemblies have been frequently dissolved, 
contrary to the rights of the people, when they attempted to 
deliberate on grievances; and their dutiful, humble, loyal, 
and reasonable petitions to the Crown for redress have been 
repeatedly treated with contempt by his Majesty's Ministers 
of State : 

"The good people of the several Colonies of New Hamp- 
shire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, and Providence Plan- 
tations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, 
New Castle, Kent and Sussex, on Delaware, Maryland, Vir- 
ginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, justly alarmed at 
these arbitrary proceedings of Parliament and administra- 
tion, have severally elected, constituted, and appointed dep- 
uties to meet and sit in general congi'ess, in the city of Phil- 
adelphia, in order to obtain such establishment as that their 
religion, laws, and liberties may not be subverted. Where- 
upon, the deputies so appointed being now so assembled in 
a fuU and free representation of these Colonies, taking into 
their most serious consideration the best means of attaining 
the end aforesaid, do, in the first place, as Englishmen, their 
ancestors, in like cases have usually done for asserting and 
vindicating their rights and liberties, declai'e, 

"That the inhabitants of the English Colonies in North 
America, by the immutable laws of nature, the principles 
of the English Constitution, and the several charters or com- 
pacts, have the following rights: 



78 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

"Resolved, N. C D. 1, That they are entitled to life, lib- 
erty, and property ; and they have never ceded to any sov- 
ereign power whatsoever, a right to dispose of either with 
or without their consent. 

"Resolved, N. C. D. 2, That our ancestors who first set- 
tled these Colonies, were, at the time of their emigration 
from the mother-country, entitled to all the rights, liberties, 
and immunities of free and natural born subjects within 
the realm of England. 

"Resolved, N. C. D. 3, That, by such emigration, they by 
no means forfeited, surrendered, or lost any of those rights, 
but that they were, and their descendants now are, entitled 
to the exercise and enjoyment of all such of them as their 
local and other circumstances enable them to exercise and 
enjoy. 

"Resolved, 4, That the formation of English liberty, and 
of all free government, is a right in the people to participate 
in their legislative Council; and as the English Colonists 
are not represented, and from their local and other circum- 
stances cannot be properly represented, in the British Par- 
liament, they are entitled to a free and exclusive power of 
legislation in their several Provincial legislatures, where 
their right of representation can alone be preserved in all 
cases oi taxation and internal polity, subject only to the 
negation of their sovereign, in such manner as has been 
heretofore used and accustomed. 

" But from the necessity of the case, and a regard for the 
mutual interests of both countries, we cheerf tiDy consent to 
the operation of such acts of the British Parliament as are 
bona fide restrained to the regulation of our external com- 
merce for the purpose of securing the commercial advan- 
tages of the whole empire to the mother-country, and the 
commercial benefit of its respective members, excluding 
every idea of taxation, internal or external, for raising a 
revenue on the subjects in America without their consent. 

"Resolved, N. C. D. 5, That the respective Colonies are 
entitled to the common law of England, and more especially 
to the great and inestimable privilege of being tried by their 
peei-s of the vicinage according to tlie course of that law. 

"Resolved 6, That they are entitled to the benefit of such 
of the English statutes as existed at the time of their coloni- 
zation, and which they have by experience respectively 
found to be applicable to their several local and other cir- 
cumstances. 

"Resolved, N. C. D. 7, That these, his Majesty's Colonies, 
are likewise entitled to all the immunities and iiri\'ileges 

f ranted and confirmed to them by royal charters, or secured 
y their several codes of Provincial laws. 
" Resolved, N. C. D. 8, That they have a right peacefully 
to assemble, consider of their grievances, and petition the 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 79 

King; and that all prosecutions, prohibitory proclamations, 
and commitments for the same are illegal. 

"Resolved, N. C. D. 9, That the keeping a standing army * 
in these Colonies in times of peace, without the consent of 
the legislatures of that Colony in which such army is kept, » 
is against law. 

"Resolved, N. C, D. 10, It is indispensably necessary to 
good government, and rendered essential by the English 
Constitution, that the constituent branches of the legislature 
be independent of each other ; that therefore the exercise of 
legislative power in several Colonics, by a Council appoint- ' 
ed during pleasure of the Crown, is unconstitutional, dan- 
gerous, and destructive to the freedom of American leg- 
islation. 

''All and each of which the aforesaid deputies, in behalf of 
themselves and their constituents, do claim, demand, and 
insist on as their indubitable rights and liberties, which can- 
not be legally taken from them, altered or abridged, by any 
power whatever, without their own consent, by their repre- 
sentatives in their several Provincial legislatures. 

"In the course of our inquiry, we find many infringe- 
ments and violations of the foregoing rights, which, from 
an ardent desire that harmony and mutual intercourse of 
affection and interest may be restored, or passed over for 
the present, and proceed to state such acts and measures as 
have been adopted since the last was, which demonstrate a 
system formed to enslave America. 

"Resolved, N. C. D., That the following acts of Parliament 
are infringements and violations of the rights of the Colo- 
nists, and that the repeal of them is essentially necessary in 
order to restore harmony between Great Britain and the 
American Colonies, viz. : 

'•The several Acts of 4 George III., chapters 15 and 34; 5 
George III., chapter 25; 6 George III., chapter 52; 7 George 
III., chapters 41 and 46; 8 George III., chapter 22, — which 
impose duties for raising a revenue in America, extend the 
powers of the Admiralty Courts beyond their ancient limits, 
deprive the American subject of trial by jury, authorize the 
judge's certificate to indemnify the prosecutor from damage 
that he might otherwise be liable to, requiring oppressive 
security from a claimant of ships and goods seized before 
he shall be allowed to defend his property, and are subver- ' 
sive of American rights. 

"Also the 12 George III., chapter 24, entitled ' An Act for 
the Better Securing His Majesty's Dock-Yards, Magazines, 
Ships, Ammunition and Stores,' which declares a new of- 
fence in America and deprives the American subject of a 
constitutional trial by jury of the vicinage, by authorizing the 
trial of any person, charged with the connnitting any offence 
described in the said act out of the realm, to be indicted 



80 TUB BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

and tried for the same in any shire or county within the 
realm. Also tlic three acts passed in the last session of Par- 
liament for stopping the port and blocking up the harbor of 
Boston; for altering tlie charter and government of the 
Massachusetts Bay ; and that which is entitled, ' An Act for 
the Better Administration of Justice,' etc. 

" ' Also the act passed in the same session for establishing 
the Roman Catholic rehgion in the Province of Quebec, 
abohshing the equitable system of English laws, and erect- 
ing a tyranny there to the great danger, from so total a dis- 
similarity of religion, law, and government of the neighbor- 
ing British Colonies, by the assistance of whose blood and 
treasure the said country was conquered from France. 

" * Also the act passed in the same session for the better 
providing suitable quarters for oflScers and soldiers in his 
Majesty's service in North America. 

"'Also that the keeping a standing army in several of 
these Colonies, in time of peace without the consent of the 
legislature of that Colony in which such army is kept, is 
against law. 

" ' To these grievous acts and measures Americans cannot 
submit; but in hopes that their fellow-subjects in Great Brit- 
ain will, on a revision of them, restore us to that state in 
which both countries found happiness and prosperity, we 
have for the present only resolved to pursue the following 
peaceable measures: 

" ' 1. To enter into a non-importation, non-consumption, and 
non-exportation agreement or association; 2, to prepare 
an address to the people of Great Britain and a memorial to 
the inhabitants of British America; and 3, to prepare a 
loyal address to his Majesty, agreeable to resolutions already 
entered into.' 

"A letter being received from several gentlemen in Geor- 
gia was read. 

"Mondaj-, October 17, 1774. 
" The Congress met according to adjournment. 
"Mr. John Dickinson appeared in Congress as a deputy for 
the Province of Pennsylvania, and produced his credentials. 

"Tuesday, October 18, 1774. 

" The Congress resumed the consideration of the plan of 
Association, etc. ; and after sundry amendments, the same 
was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed, that it may be 
signed by the several members. 

"Thurstlay, October 30, 1774. 

" The Association being copied , was read and signed at the 
table, and is as follows: 

" 'We, his Majesty's most loyal subjects, the delegates of 
the several Colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 81 

Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Penn- 
sylvania, the three lower counties of New Castle, Kent, and 
Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Vii-ginia, North Carolina, 
and South Carolina, deputed to represent them in a Conti- 
nental Congress, held in the city of Philadelphia on the 
fifth day of September, 1774, avowing our allegiance to bis 
Majesty ; our affection and regard for our fellow-subjects in 
Great Britain and elsewhere; affected with the deepest anx- 
iety and most alarming apprehensions at those grievances 
and distresses with which his Majesty's American subjects 
are oppressed ; and having taken under our most serious de- 
liberation the State of the whole Continent, — find that the 
present unhappy situation of our affairs is occasioned by a 
ruinous system of Colony administration adopted by the 
British Ministry about the year 1763, evidently calculated 
for enslaving these Colonies, and with them the British em- 
pire. In the prosecution of which system, various acts of 
Parliament have been passed for raising a revenue in Amer- 
ica, for depriving the American subjects, in many instances, 
of the constitutional trial by jury, exposing their lives to 
danger by directing a new and illegal trial beyond the seas, 
for crimes alleged to have been committed in America; and 
in prosecution of the same system, several late cruel and 
oppressive acts have been passed respecting the town of 
Boston and the Massachusetts Bay, and also an act for ex- 
tending the Province of Quebec so as to border on the west- 
ern frontiers of these Colonies, establishing an arbitrary 
government therein, and discouraging the settlement of 
British subjects in that wide-extended country; thus by the 
influence of evil principles and ancient prejudices to dispose 
the inhabitants to act with hostility against the free Protest- 
ant Colonies whenever a wicked Ministry shall choose so to 
direct. 

" ' To obtain redress of grievances which threaten destruc- 
tion to the lives, liberties, and property of his Majesty's sub- 
jects in North America, we are of opinion that a nonim- 
portation, non-consumption, and non-exportation agreement 
faithfully adhered to will prove the most speedy, effectual, 
and peaceable measure; and therefore we do for ourselves, 
and the inhabitants of the sevei'al Colonies, whom we rep- 
resent, firmly agree and associate under the sacred ties of 
virtue, honor, and love of our country as follows: 

" ' 1. That from and after the 1st day of December next we 
will not import into British America from Great Britain or 
Ireland any goods, wares, or merchandise whatsoever, or 
from any other place any such goods, wares, or merchandise 
as shall have been exported from Great Britain or Ireland; 
nor will we after that day import any East India tea from 
any part of the world; nor any molasses, syrups, paneles, 
coffee, or pimento from the British plantations or from Do- 



82 TEE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

minico; nor wines from Madeira or the Western Islands; 
nor foreign indigo. 

" '2. That we will neither import nor purchase any slave 
imported after the first day of December next; after which 
time we will whollj^ discontinue the slave trade, and will 
neither be concerned in it ourselves, nor will we hire our 
vessels nor sell our commodities or manufactures to those 
who are concerned in it. 

" ' 3. As a non-consumption agi'eement strictly adhered to 
will be an effectual security for the observation of the non- 
importation, we as above solemnly agree and associate that 
from this day we will not purchase or use any tea imported 
on account of the East India Company, or any on which a 
duty hath been or shall be paid ; and from and' after the 1st 
day of March next we will not purchase or use any East In- 
dia tea whatsoever; nor will we nor shaU any person for or 
under us purchase or use any of those gooods, wares, or 
merchandise we have agreed not to import, which we shall 
know or have cause to suspect were imported after the first 
day of December, except such as come under the rules and 
directions of the tenth article hereafter mentioned. 

" '4. The earnest desire we have, not to injure our fellow- 
subjects in Great Britain, Ireland, or the West Indies, in- 
duces us to suspend a non -exportation until the tenth day 
of September, 1775 ; at which time, if the said acts and parts 
of acts of the British ParUament hereinafter mentioned 
are not repealed, we will not directly or indirectly export 
any merchandise or commodity whatsoever to Great Brit- 
ain, Ireland, or the West Indies, except rice to Europe. 

" ' 5. Such as are merchants and use the British and Irish 
trade, will give orders as soon as possible to theu- factors, 
agents, and correspondents in Great Britain and Ireland 
not to ship any goods to them on any pretence whatsoever, 
as they cannot be received in America ; and if any merchant 
residing in Great Britain or Ireland shall directly or indi- 
rectly ship any goods, wares, or merchandise for America 
in order to break the said non-importation agreement, or in 
any manner contravene the same, on such unworthy conduct 
being well attested, it ought to be made public; and on the 
same being so done, we will not from thenceforth have any 
commercial connection with such merchant. 

" ' 6. That such as are owners of vessels will give positive 
orders to their captains or masters not to receive on board 
their vessels any goods prohibited by the said non-importa- 
tion agreement, on pain of immediate dismission from their 
service. 

" ' 7. We will use our utmost endeavors to improve the 
breed of sheep, and increase their number to tlie greatest 
extent; and to tliat end we will kill them as sparingly as 
may be, especially those of the most profitable kind; nor 



THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIG. 83 

will we export any to the West Indies or elsewhere ; and 
those of us who are or may become overstocked with or can 
conveniently spare any sheep will dispose of them to our 
neighbors, especiallj^ to the poorer sort, upon moderate terms. 

" '8. That we will, in our several stations, encourage frugali- 
ty, economy, and industry, and promote agriculture, arts, 
and the manufactures of this country, especially that of 
wool ; and will discountenance and discourage every species 
of extravagance and dissipation, especially of horse-racing 
and all kinds of gaming, cock-fighting, exhibitions of plays, 
shows, and other expensive diversions and entertainments ; 
and on the death of any relation or friend, none of us, nor 
any of our families, will go into any further mourning-dress 
than a black crape or ribbon on the arm or hat for gentle- 
men, and a black ribbon or necklace for ladies, and we will 
discontinue the giving of gloves and scai-fs at funerals.' " 

" '11. That a committee be chosen in every county, city, and 
town, by those who are qualified to vote for Representatives 
in the Legislature, whose business it shall be to attentively 
observe the conduct of all persons touching this Association ; 
and when it shall be made to appear to the satisfaction of a 
majority of any such committee that any person within the 
limits of their appointment has violated this Association, 
that such majority do forthwith cause the truth of the case 
to be published in the Gazette, to the end that all such foes 
to the rights of British America may be publicly known and 
universally condemned as the enemies of American liber- 
ty, and thenceforth we respectively will break off all deal- 
ings with him or her.' " 

" ' 14. And we do further agree and resolve. That we will 
have no trade, commerce, dealings, or intercourse whatsoever 
with any Colony or province in North America which shall 
not accede to or shall hereafter violate this Association, but 
will hold them as unworthy of the rights of freemen, and as 
inimical to the liberties of tlais country. And we do solemnly 
bind ourselves and our constituents, under the ties aforesaid, 
to adhere to this Association until such parts of the several 
acts of Parliament passed since the close of the last war, or 
impose or continue duties on tea, wine, molasses, syrups, 
paneles, coffee, sugar, pimento, indigo, foreign paper, glass, 
and painters' colors imported into America ; and extend the 
powers of the Admiralty Courts beyond their ancient limits ; 
deprive the American subjects of trial by jury ; authorize the 
judge's certificate to indemnify the prosecutor from damages 
that he might otherwise be liable to from a trial by his peers ; 
require oppressive security from a claimant of ships or goods 
seized before he shall be allowed to defend his property, — are 
repealed. And until that part of the act of the 12th George 
III., ch. 24, entitled "An Act for the Better Securing His 
Majesty's Dock-yards, Magazines, Ships, Ammunition, and 



84 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

Stores," by which any person charged with committing any 
offences therein described, in America, may be tried in any 
shire or county within the reahn, is repealed. And until the 
four acts passed in the last session of Parliament — viz. : that 
forstopping the port and blocking up the Harbor of Boston; 
that for altering the charter and government of the Massa- 
chusetts Bay; and that which is entitled, " An Act for the 
Better Administration of Justice, etc. ; and that for extend- 
ing the limits of Quebec, etc." — are repealed. And we recom- 
mend it to the provincial conventions, and to the committees 
in the respective Colonies, to establish such further regula- 
tions as they may think proper for carrying into execution 
th is A ssociation . ' 

" The foregoing Association being determined upon by the 
Congress, was ordered to be subscribed by the several mem- 
bers thereof ; and thereupon we have hereunto set our respec- 
tive names accordingly." 

"/>i Congress, Philadelphia, Oct. 20, 1774. 

"Peyton Eaxdolph, President. 

"New Hampshire John Sullivan, Nathaniel Folsom. 

Massachusetts Bay. | Thomas Cushing, Sanniel Adams, 
■^ ( John Adams, Robert Treat Pame. 

Rhode Island Stephen Hopkins, Samuel Ward. 

Connecticut \ Elil^lialet Dyer, Roger Sherman, Silas 

I Deane. 

r Isaac Low, John Aisop, John Jay; 
■vr^_ vr^T-v 1 James Duane, Philip Livingston, 

IS ew 1 orK 1 ^villiam Floyd, Henry Wisner, 

[ Simon Boerum. 

! James Kinsey, William Livingston, 
Stephen Crane, Richard Smith, John 
De Hart, 
f Joseph Galloway, John Dickinson, 
PennRvlvania J Charles Humphreys, Thomas Mif- 

rennsyivama < ^.^^ Edward Biddle, John Morton, 

[ George Ross. 

The Lower Counties. | Csesar Rodney, Thomas McKean, 

New Castle, etc \ George Read. 

MoT-irinnrt 5 Matthcw Tilglimau, Thomas Johnson, 

iuaryiana ^ j^,^ William Paca, Samuel Chase. 

{Richard Henry Lee, George Washing- 
ton, Patrick Henry, Jr., Richard 
Bland, Benjamin Harrison, Edmund 
Pendleton. 

North Carolina -^ WiUiam Hooper, Joseph Hewes, Rich- 

JNorm L^aronna > ^^,^ Caswell. 



THE BIRTH OF TJIE REPUBLIC. 85 

( Henrjr Middleton, Thoinas Lynch, 

South Carolina < Christopher Gadsden, John Eut- 

( ledge, Edward Rutledge. 

" Ordered, That this Association be committed to the press 
and that one hundred and twenty copies be struck off. 

" The Congress then resumed the consideration of the ad- 
dress to the inhabitants of these Colonies, and after debate 
thereon, adjourned until to-morrow." 

THE ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OP GREAT BRITAIN. 

This address is elaborate and able. But the plan of this 
compilation will only admit of the following paragraphs. 
The committee appointed to draft it, as has been seen above, 
was composed of Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, John Jay 
and Philip Livingston, of New York: 

" Tuesday, Oct. 21, 1774. 

"The Address to the People of Great Britain being brought 
in, and the amendments directed being made, the same was 
approved and is as follows : 

"To the people of Great Britain, from the delegates ap- 
pointed by the several English Colonies of New Hampshire, 
Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Planta 
tion, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey. Pennsylvania 
the lower counties on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North 
Carolina, and South Carolina, to consider their grievances 
in General Congress at Philadelphia. September 5, 1774. 

^'Friends and Fellotv-subjects: When a nation, led to 
greatness by the hand of liberty, and possessed of all the 
glory that heroism, magnificence, and humanity can bestow, 
descends to the ungrateful task of forging chains for her 
friends and children, and instead of giving support to free- 
dom, turns advocate for slavery and oppression, there is 
reason to suspect she has either ceased to be virtuous or 
been extremely negligent in the appointment of her rulers. 

"In almost every age, in reppated conflicts, in long and 
bloody wars, as well civil as foreign, against many and pow- 
erful nations, against the open assaults of enemies and the 
more dangerous treachery of friends, have the inhabitants 
of your island, your great and glorious ancestors, maintained 
their independence, and transmitted the rights of men and 
the blessings of liberty to you, their posterity. 

" Be not surpi'ised, therefore, that we, who are descended 
from the same common ancestors; that we, whose fore- 
fathers participated in all the rights, the liberties, and the 
constitution you so justly boast of, and who have carefully 
conveyed the same fair inheritance to us, guaranteed by the 
plighted faith of government, and the most solemn compacts 
with British sovereigns,— should refuse to surrender them to 
men who found their claims on no principles of reason, and 



86 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

Avboproseciito them with a desiffn that, by havinj:; our lives 
and ]irop('rty in their power, they may with the greater 
facihty enslave you. 

" The cause of America is now the object of universal at- 
tention; it has at length become very serious. 

" This unhappy country has not only been oppressed, but 
abused and misi-epresented ; and the duty we owe to our- 
selves and posterity, to 3'our interest and the general welfare 
of the Britisli Empire, leads us to address you on this very 
unportant subject. 

" Know then, that we consider ourselves, and do insist, that 
we are and ought to be as free as our fellow-subjects in 
^ Britain, and that no power on earth has a right to take our 
' property from us without oiu- consent. 

"Tliat we claim all the benefits secured to the subjects by 
the English (.'onstitution and particularly that inestimable 
right of trial by jury. 

'' That we hold it essential to English liberty, that no man 
be condemned unheard, or punished for supposed offences 
without having an opportunity of making his defence. 

" That we think the legislature of Great Britain is not au- 
thorized by the constitution to establish a religion fraught 
with sanguinary and impious tenets, or to erect an arbitrary 
form of government in any quarter of the globe. These 
rights, we, as well as you, deem sacred and yet, sacred as 
they are, they have, with many others, been repeatedly and 
flagrantly violated. 

" Are not the proprietors of the soil of Great Britain lords 
of their own property? Can it be taken from them without 
their consent? Will they yield it to the arbitrary disposal 
of any man, or number of men whatever? You know they 
will not. 

'•Why, then, are the proprietors of the soil of America 
less lords of their property than you are of yoiu's? Or why 
should they submit it to the disposal of your Parliament, or 
any other parliament or council in the world, not of their 
election? Can the intervention of the sea that divides us 
cause disparity in rights? Or can any reason be given why 
English subjects avIio live three thousand miles from the 
royal palace should enjoy less liberty than those who are 
thr(>e hundred miles distant from it? 

" Reason looks ^vith indignation on such distinctions, and 
freemen can never perceive their propriety. And yet, how- 
ever chimerical and unjust such discriminations are, the 
Parhament assert that they have a right to bind us in all 
cases without exception, whether we consent or not; that 
they may fake and use our property when and in what 
manner they please; that we are pensioners on their bovmty 
for all that we possess, and can hold it no longer than they 
vouchsafe to permit. Rucli declarations we consider as 
heresies in English politics, and which can no more operate 



TIIW BTRTII OF" THE REPtlBLW. 87 

to deprive us of our property than the interdicts of the pope 
can divest kings of sce])tres which the laws of the land and 
the voice of the people have placed in their hands." 

On the same day the Congress published a memorial to 
the inhabitants of British America, reported by the same 
committee. 

It is a clear and statesmanlike resume of the irritating 
legislation and policy of Great Britain from the close of the 
then late war with France to date. 

The following paragraph will remind the reader of the 
first clause of the Declaration of Independence: 

" In every case of opposition by a people to their rulers, 
or of one state to another, duty to Almighty God — the creator 
of all — requires that a true and impartial judgment be formed 
of the measures leading to such opposition, and of the causes 
by which it has been provoked, or can in any degree be justi- 
fied ; that neither affection on the one hand nor resentment 
on the other being permitted to give a wrong bias to reason, 
it may be enabled to take a dispassionate view of all circum- 
stances, and to settle the pubHc conduct on the solid founda- 
tions of Wisdom and Justice." 

From councils thus tempered, arise the surest hopes of the 
divine favor, the firmest encouragement to the parties en- 
gaged, and the strongest recommendation of their cause to 
the rest of mankind. 

The Congress also put forth addresses to the inhabitants 
of the Province of Quebec, and to the King. The former ap- 
peals to the people of that Province to unite with those 
south of it in opposition to Parliamentary taxation. The 
latter is a manly but respectful petition and remonstrance. 



THE CONGRESS OF 1775 



The Congress of 1775 met at Philadelphia, May 10th. All 
the Colonies, except Rhode Island and Georgia, were repre- 
sented ; and after the body had been in session for a few days, 
delegates arrived from Rhode Island, and from St. John's 
Parish, Georgia. 

On the 6th of July,— 

"A Declaration by the Representatives of the United Col- 
onies of North America, now met in Congress at Philadel- 
phia, setting forth the causes and necessity of their taking 
up arms, was issued." 

The committee appointed to draw up this address con- 
sisted of Messrs. J. Rutledge, of South Carolina; W. Liv- 
ingston, of New Jersey; Dr. Benj. Franklin, of Pennsyl- 
vania ; John Jay, of New York ; and Herman Johnson, of 
Maryland ; — to which was afterwards added J. Dickinson, 
of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia. 



88 THE BIllTU OF TUB REPUBLIC. 

The followinp: are extracts : 

"If it was possible for men who exercise their reason, to 
bcHeve that tlie Divine Autlior of our existence intended a 
part of the human race to hold an absolute property in and 
an unbounded power over others marked out, by His infinite 
goodness and wisdom, as tlie objects of a legal dominion 
never rightfully resistible, however severe and oppressive, 
the inhabitants of these Colonies might at least require from 
the Parliament of Great Britain some evidence that this 
dreadful authority over them has been granted to that body. 
But a reverence for our groat Creator, principles of hu- 
manity, and the dictates of common sense, must convince all 
those, who reflect upon the subject, that government was 
instituted to promote the welfare of mankind, and ought to 
' be administered for the attainment of that end. The legis- 
lature of Great Bi'itain, however, stimulated by an inordi- 
nate passion for a power not only unjustifiable, but which 
they know to be peculiarly reprobated by the very constitu- 
tion of that kingdom, and desperate of success in any mode 
of contest where regard should be had to truth, law, or 
right, have at length, deserting those, attempted to effect 
their cruel and impolitic purpose of enslaving these Colo- 
nies by violence, and have thereby rendered it necessary for 
us to close with their last appeal from reason to arms. 

"Yet, however blinded that assembly may be by their in- 
temperate rage for unlimited domination, so to slight justice 
and the opinion of mankind, we esteem ourselves bound by 
ol)ligations of respect to the rest of the world, to make 
known the justice of our cause. 

"But Avhy should we enumerate our injuries in detail ? 
By one statute it is declared that Parliament can ' of right, 
make laws to bind us in all cases whatsoever.' What is to 
defend us against so enormous, so unlimited, a power? Not 
a single man of those who assume, it is chosen by us, or is 
subject to our control or influence ; but on the contrary, they 
are all of them exempt from the operation of such laws and 
an American revenue, if not diverted from the ostensible pur- 
poses for which it is raised, would actually lighten their own 
burdens in proportion as they increase ours. We saw the 
misery to which such despotism would reduce us. We for 
ten years incessantly and ineffectually besieged the throne 
as supplicants; we reasoned, we remonstrated, with Parlia- 
ment in the most mild and decent language." 

After enumerating the several acts of aggression upon 
Colonial rights, and especially the actual war upon Massa- 
chusetts, the Declaration concludes, as follows: 

" We are reduced to the alternation of choosing an uncon- 
ditional submission to the tyranny of irritated Ministers or 
resistance by force. The latter is our choice. 

" We have counted the cost of this contest, and find noth- 



THE BIRTH OF THE nEPUBLIC. 89 

ing so dreadful as voluntary slavery. Honor, justice, and^- 
humanity forbid us tamely to surrender tiiat freedom -which 
we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our inno- 
cent postei'ity have a right to receive from us. We cannot 
endure the infamy and guilt of consigning succeeding genera- 
tions to that wretchedness which inevitably awaits them if i 
we basely entail hereditary bondage upon them. Our cause 
is just. Our union is perfect. Our internal resources are 
great, and, if necessary, foreign assistance is undoubtedly 
attainable. We gratefully acknowledge, as signal instances 
of Divine favor towards us, that His Providence would not 
permit us to be called into this severe controversy until we 
were grown up to our present strength, had been previously 
exercised in warlike operations, and possessed of the means 
of defending ourselves. 

"With hearts foi'tified by these animating reflections, we 
most solemnly, before God and the world, declare that, ex- 
erting the utmost eiiergy of those powers which our benefi- 
cient Creator hath graciously bestowed upon us, the arms 
we have been compelled by our enemies to assume, we will, 
in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and 
perseverance, employ for the preservation of our liberties, 
being with one mind resolved to die freemen rather than 
live slaves. 

"Lest this declaration should disquiet the minds of our 
friends and fellow-subjects in any part of the empire, we 
assure them that we moan not to dissolve that vmion which 
has so long and so happily subsisted between us, and which 
Y/e sincerely wish to be restored. 

"Necessity has not yet driven us into that desperate meas- 
ure, or induced us to excite any other nation to war against 
them. 

"Wo have not raised armies with ambitious designs of 
separating from Great Britain and establishing independent 
states. We fight not for glory or for conquest. We exhibit 
to mankind the remarkable spectacle of a people attacked 
by unprovoked enemies without any imputation or even 
suspicion of offence. 

" They boast of their privileges and civilization, and yet 
proffer no milder conditions than servitude or death. 

"In our own native land, in defence of the freedom that is 
our birthright, and which we ever enjoyed until the late viola- 
tion of it, for the jirotection of our property, acquired solely 
by the honest industry of our forefathers and ourselves, 
against violence actually offered, we have taken up arms. We 
shall lay them down when hostilities shall cease on the part 
of the aggressors, and all danger of their being renewed 
shall be rem.oved, and not before. With an humble confi- 
dence in the mercies of the Supreme and Impartial Judge 
and Ruler of the universe, we most devoutly implore His 



90 THE BIRTH OF THE liEPUBLIC. 

Divine goodness to pi*otoct us happily throu^li tliis {ireat con- 
flict, to dispose our adversaries to reconciliation on reason- 
able terms, and thereby to relieve the empire from the ca- 
lamities of civil war." 

At this session the Congress adopted a petition to the King 
in the usual style of such papers, complaining of the meas- 
ures of the Ministry and justifying the defensive measures 
of the Colonies. It is signed by all the delegates present, 
except the representation of the single parish of Georgia. 

On the same day Congress adopted an elaborate address 
to the inhabitants of Great Britain, complaining of the ar- 
bitrary and unjust policy of the British Parliament, and ap- 
pealing to them as "friends, countrymen, and brethren." 

On the 13th July the Congress agreed upon a speech to be 
read in their name to the six nations of Indians; and on the 
28th an address to the people of Ireland was adopted in jus- 
tification of their measures of resistance. 

After other j^i-oceedings in reference to defensive measures, 
the Congress adjourned August 1st to September 5th. 

The Congress met again September 5th, accoi'ding to ad- 
journment. Its proceedings for the most part were of a 
business nature. 

The following spirited paragraph is extracted from the re- 
port of a committee, adopted by the body on the Gth of De- 
cember : 

" The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of 
the committee on proclamations, which, being debated by 
paragraphs, was agreed to as follows : 

" We, the delegates of the thirteen united Colonies in 
North America, have taken into our most serious considera- 
tion a proclamation issued from the Court of St. James on 
the 23d day of August last. The name of Majesty is used to 
give it a sanction and influence, and on that account it be- 
comes a matter of importance to wipe off in the name of the 
people of these united Colonies the aspersions which it is cal- 
culated to throw upon our cause, and to prevent as far as 
possible the undeserved punishments Avhich it is designed to 
prepare for our friends. We are accused of ' forgetting the 
allegiance which we owe to the poAver that has protected 
and sustained us.' Why, all this ambiguity and obscurity 
in what ought to be so plain and obvious,that he who runs 
rnay read it ! What allegiance is it that we forget ? Alle- 
giance to Parliament ? We never owed, we never owned, it. 
Allegiance to our King ? Our words have ever avowed it; 
our conduct has ever been consistent with it. We conrleinn, 
and with arms in our hands (a resource which freemen will 
never part with) we oppose, the claim and exercise of uncon- 
stitutional powers, to which neither the Crown nor Parlia- 
ment were ever entitled. By the British Constitution, our 
best inheritance, rights as weU as duties descend upon us. 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 91 

We cannot violate the latter by clefenclinp; the formci'. We 
should act in diametrical opposition to both if we permitted 
the claims of the British Parliament to be established and 
the measures pursued in consequence of those claims to be 
carried into execution among us." 

Certain resolutions offered by Eichard Henry Lee, of Vir- 
ginia, June 7, 1776: 

" Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right 
ought to be free, and independent States; that they are ab- 
solved from all allegiance to the British Ci*o%vn, and that all 
political connection between them and the state of Great 
Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. 

" That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual 
measures for forming foreign alliances. 

" That apian of confederation be prepared and transmitted 
to the respective Colonies for their consideration and appro- 
bation being moved and seconded, 

" Eesolved, That the consideration of them be deferred till 
to-morrow morning; and that the members be enjoined to 
attend punctually at ten o'clock, in order to take the same 
into consideration." 

Agreeable to order, the Congress resolved itself into a com- 
mittee of the whole to take into their further consideration 
the resolutions to them referred ; and after some time spent 
thereon, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison, 
of Virginia, reported that the committee have had under 
consideration the matters referred to them, and have come 
to a resolution thereon, which they directed him to report. 

The resolution agreed to in the committee of the whole 
being read, 

"Eesolved That the consideration of the first resolution 
be postponed, to Monday, the 1st day of July next; and in 
the mean while that no time be lost in case the Congi-ess 
agree thereto that a committee be appointed to prepare a 
declaration to the effect of the said first resolution, which is 
in these words: 'That these united Colonies are, and of 
right ought to be, free and independent States ; that they are 
absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown ; and that 
all political connection between them and the State of Great 
Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.' 

"Eesolved, That the committee be discharged." 

Dr. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jeffer- 
son were appointed on the committee to prepare the Decla- 
ration. It was drawn by Mr. Jefferson. 

" Wednesday, July 3, 1766. 
"Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved it- 
self into the committee of the whole to take into their further 
consideration the Declaration ; and after some time the Presi- 
dent resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported that the 



92 TEE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

committee, not having yet gone through it, desired leave to 
sit again. 

"kesolved. That this Congress will to-morrow again re- 
solve itself into a committee of the Avhole to take into their 
further consideration the Declaration of Independence." 



DECLARATIOX OF INDEPENDENCE. 

"Thursday, July 4, 1776. 

" Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved 
itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their further 
consideration the Declaration; and after some tune, the Pres- 
ident resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported that the 
committee have agreed to a declaration, which they desired 
him to report. 

" The Declaration being read, was agreed to as follows: 

"A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States 
of America in General Congress Assembled : 

" When, in the course of hiunan events, it becomes neces- 
sary for one people to dissolve the political bands which 
have connected tliem with another, and to assume, among 
the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to 
which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, 
a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that 
they should declare the causes which impel them to the sep- 
aration. 

" We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are 
created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with 
certain unalienable rights ; that among these are life, liberty, 
and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, 
govoniments are instituted among men, deriving their just 
powers from the consent of the governed ; that whenever any 
form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is 
the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to insti- 
tute a new government, laying its foundations on such prin- 
ciples, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them 
shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. 
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long estab- 
Hshed should not be changed for light and transient causes; 
and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are 
more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable, than to 
right themselves by abohshing the forms to which they are 
accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpa- 
tions, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design 
to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it 
is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide 
new p;uards for their future security. Such has been the 
patient sufferance of these Colonies ; and such is now the ne- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 93 

cessity which constrains them to alter their former system 
of government. 

"The history of the present King of Great Britain is a his- 
tory of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in di- 
rect ohject the establishment of an absolute tyranny over 
these States. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a can- 
did world : 

''He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome 
and necessary for the public good. 

' ' He has forbidden his Governors to pass laws of immediate 
and pressing importance, unless suspended in their opera- 
tion till his assent should be obtained; and when so sus- 
pended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them, 

"He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation 
of large districts of people unless those people would relin- 
(juish the right of representation in the legislature— a right 
inestimable, and formidable to tyrants only. 

" He has called together legislative bodies at places un- 
usual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of 
their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them 
into compliance wiih his measures. 

" He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly for op- 
posing with manly firmness his invasions on the right of the 
people. 

"He has refused, for a long time after such dissolutions, to 
cause others to be elected ; whereby the legislative powers, 
incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at 
large for their exorcise, the state remaining in the mean 
time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, 
and convulsions within. 

' ' He has endeavored to prevent the population of these 
States; for that purpose obstructing the laws for natural- 
ization of foreigners ; refusing to pass others to encourage 
their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new 
appropriations of lands. 

"He has obstructed the administration of justice by refus- 
ing his assent to laws for estabhshing judiciary powers. 

' ' He has made judges dependent on his will alone for the 
tenure of their offices and the amount and payment of their 
salaries. 

" He has erected a multitude of new 6ffices, and sent hither 
swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their sub- 
stance. 

" He has kept among us in times of peace, standing ar- 
mies, without the consent of our legislature. 

"He has affected to render the mihtary independent of 
and superior to the civil power. 

" He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdic- 
tion foreign to our constitution and unacknowledged by 



94 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legis- 
lation : 

* ' For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us ; 

'*For protecting them by a mock trial from punishment, 
for any murders which they should commit on the inhabi- 
tants of these States; 

" For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world; 

" For imposmg taxes on us without our consent; 

" For depriving us in many cases of the benefits of trial by 
jury ; 

' ' For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended 
offences ; 

' ' For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neigh- 
boring Province, estabhshing therein an arbitrary govern- 
ment, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once 
an example and fit instrument for introducing the same ab- 
solute rule into these Colonies; 

" For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valu- 
able laws, and altering fundamentally the powers of our 
government; 

" For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring them- 
selves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases 
whatsoever. 

"He has abdicated government here by declaring us out of 
his protection, and waging war against us. 

"He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burat our 
towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. 

"He is at this time transporting large armies of foreigii 
mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation, and 
tyranny, already begun, with circumstances of cruelty and 
perfidy scarcely parallelled in the most barbarous ages, and 
totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation. 

" He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive on 
the high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become 
the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall 
themselves by their hands. 

"He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and 
has endeavored to bring, on the inhabitants of our frontiei's, 
the merciless Indian savages, whose known iides of warfare 
is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and con- 
ditions. 

" In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned 
for redress in the most humble terras ; our repeated petitions 
have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince 
whose character is thus marked by every act which may 
define a tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. 

"Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British 
brethren. We have warned them from time to time of at- 
tempts by their legislatiu'e to extend an unwarrantable 
jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the cir- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 95 

cumstances of our emigration and settlement here. "We 
have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and 
we have conjured them, by the ties of our common kindred, 
to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably inter- 
rupt our connections and correspondence. They too have 
been deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity. We 
must thei'efore acquiesce in the necessity which denounces 
our separation, and hold them as we hold the rest of man- 
kind— enemies in war, in peace friends. 

" We, therefore, the representatives of the UNITED 
STATES OP AMERICA, in general Congress assembled, 
appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the recti- 
tude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority 
of the good people of these Colonies, solemnly publish and 
declare. That these united Colonies are, and of right ought 
to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved 
from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all politi- 
cal connection between them and the state of Great Britain 
is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that, as free and 
independent states, they have fuU power to levy war, con- 
clude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do 
all other acts and things which independent states may of 
right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a 
firm rehance on the pi^otection of divine Providence, we 
mutually pledge to each our lives, our fortunes, and our sa- 
cred honor." 

" The foregoing Declaration was, by order of Congress en- 
grossed, and signed by the following members : 

John Hancock. 

New Hampshire. Delaware. 

Jo^iah Bartlett, Csesar Rodney, 

yijliam Whipple, George Read, 

Matthew Thornton. Thomas M'Kean. 

Rhode Island. 

Stephen Hopkins, Maryland. 
Wilham Ellery. 

Samuel Chase, 
Connecticut. William Paca, 
Roger Sherman, Thomas Stone, 
Samuel Huntington, Charles Carroll, of Carroll- 
William Wilhams, ton. 
Ohver Wolcott. 

Massachusetts Bay. ^^^ '^orJc. 

Samuel Adams, WiUiam Floyd, 

John Adams, Philip Livingston, 

Robei't Treat Paine, Francis Lewis, 

Elbridge Gerry. Lewis Morris. 



96 THE BIBTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

New Jersey. Thomas Jefferson, 

Richard Stockton, Benjamin Han-ir,on, 

John Witherspoon, Thomas Nelson , Jr 

Francis Hopkinson, Francis Liglitfoot Lee, 

John Hart, Carter T.raxton. 
Abraham Ckxrk. ^r^^,^J^ Carolina. 

Pennsylvania. Wilham Hooper, 

Robert Morris, Joseph Hewes, 

Benjamin Rush, John Penn. 
Benjamin Franklin, o, ^t ^ t- 

John Morton, ^oidh Carolina. 

George Clymer, Edward Rutledge, 

James Smith, Thomas Hey ward, Jr., 

George Taylor, Thomas Lynch, Jr., 

James Wilson, Arthur Middleton. 
George Ross. Georgia. 

Virginia. Button Gwinnett, 

George Wythe, Lyman Hall. 

Richard Henry Lee, George Walton. 

" Resolved, That copies of the Declaration be sent to the 
several assemblies, conventions, and committees, or coun- 
cils of safety, and to the several commanding officers of the 
continental troops; that it be proclaimed in each of the 
United States, and at the head of the army." 



CHAPTER IV. 

MOVEMENTS IN THE COLONIES. 

Massachusetts. 

A REPORT made to the House of Lords on the 20th April, 
1774, has become, in the light of subsequent history, an im- 
peri.'^hable monument to the irrepressible love of liberty, as 
■well as the unconquerable spii'it of the people of Massachu- 
setts. 

The introductory lines of this elaborate document will con- 
vey a clear notion of its character and contents. They are 
as follows: 

''The Earl of Bucldnghamshire reported from the lords 
committee appointed to inquire into the several proceed- 
ings in the Colony of Massachusetts Baj^, in opposition to the 
sovereignty of his Majesty, in his Parliament of Great Brit- 



TEE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 97 

ain, over that Province, and also what has passed in this 
House relative thereto trom the first day of January, 17G4." 

The report proceeds to recite the several acts of Parlia- 
ment affecting the Colonies, the resolutions of the loi'ds, the 
proclamations of the King, the speeches from the throne, 
and the responsive addresses of tlie lords. It also quotes 
from or states the substance of the proceedings of the Assem- 
bly of Massachusetts Bay, the resolutions of county and 
town meetings, and relates the acts of mob violence which 
occurred in Boston. 

The report is, in substance, one long indictment against 
the people of Massacluisetts, based on allegations which 
every son of the State then and now vv-ould be proud to ad- 
mit the truth of. It would occupy far too much space for 
me rn quote all the facts complained of by the committee; 
and I only copy the more striking statements, and make 
brief references to the remainder. Their first complaint is 
as follows : 

" The committee, having perused the i-eport of the Board 
of Trade of the 11th dny of December, 1764, and the papers 
laid before his Majesty therewith, find in the said papers the 
strongest assertions, by the Assembly of the Massachusetts 
Bay, of their sole right to pass laws, particularly of taxa- 
tion ; and of their resolution to invite the otlier Colonies to 
combine with them in measures to prevent the King, in his 
Parliament, from passing any such laws. For instance, in 
a letter to Mr. Mauduit, then agent of the Province, which 
was drawn up by a committee of the House of Representa- 
tives, and afterwards approved by the House, the}" used the 
following expressions : ' The silence of the Province should 
have been imputed to any cause, even to def^pair, rather 
than be construed into a tacit cession of their rights, or an 
acknowledgment of a right in the Parliament of Great Brit- 
ain to impose duties and taxes iipon a people who are not 
repi'esented in the House of Comnions;' and in the same let- 
ter they avowed and authenticated the doctrines advanced 
in a certain pamphlet, entitled 'The Eights of the British 
Colonies Asserted and Proved,' written by James Otis, Esq., 
which pamphlet, amongst other things, says: 'That the im- 
position of taxes, whether on trade or on lands, on houses or 
ships, on real or personal, fixed or floating, property in the 
Colonies, is absolutely ii-reconcilable with the rights of the 
colonists, as British subjects, and as men.' 

" It appears to the committee, from the votes of the House 
of Eepresentatives of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, of 
the 6th of June, 1765, that they came to a resolution, ' That 
it was highly expedient there should be a meeting, as soon 
as might be, of committees from the Houses of Representa- 
tives or Burgesses, in the several Colonies on the American 
continent,' to consult on their then present circumstances, 



98 TEE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

and the difficulties to which they were reduced by the opera- 
tion of the late acts of Parliament for levying duties on the 
Colonies, and to consider of a general address to his Majesty 
and the Parliament, to implore relief; and that letters should 
be forthwith prepared and transmitted to tiie respective 
speakers of the several AssembUes, to invite them to accede 
to this proposition ; and, further, that on the 8th of June they 
did actually elect three persons to be their committees, and 
also voted £150 to bear their expenses." 

They next give an account of the destruction of the stamps 
by the people of Boston, in August, 17G5 ; but of this event I 
have presented a fidl history in preceding parts of this com- 
pilation. These violent proceedings in regard to the stamps, 
which began in Boston, August 15th, and were followed up 
by all of the Colonies, one after another, caused the King and 
Parliament to halt in their despotic career. The Stamp Act 
was repealed ; and, what is still more remarkable, an act was 
passed to render valid all legal instruments which had been 
executed on unstamped paper in America during the exist- 
ence of that odious law. 

" The committee find that, on the meeting of the As- 
sembly of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, on the 28th of 
January, 1767, a message was sent to the Governor from the 
House of Eepresentatives, desiring to be informed, 'Whether 
any provision had been made at tlie expense of that govern- 
ment for the King's troops, lately arrived in the harbor of 
Boston ;' and tliat after having had the minutes of Council 
(by which it expressly appeared that the provision for the 
artillery companies at the castle was made in pursuance of 
the then late act of Parliament) laid before them, they re- 
plied that, ' In giving orders, with the advice of the Coun- 
cil, for making provisions for the artillery companies at the 
castle, the Governor had acted in an essential point against 
the plain intent of the charter, by which alone, and that 
only, according to such acts as are or may be in force with- 
in this province, the Governor and Council were authorized 
to issue money out of the treasury;' adding, 'That it was 
still more grievous to thenn to find the Governor stating, as 
the foimdation of the proceeding, a late act of Parliament, 
which to them appeared as great a grievance as the Stamp 
Act, which took away the unalienable right of freedom from 
all taxation, but such as they should voluntaiy consent to 
and grant.' 

" The committee call attention to another circular-letter 
of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, of the date 
of 1768, in wliich an appeal is made to the Assemblies of 
other Colonies for co-operation in protesting airainst the 
acts of Parliament which imposed duties on the Colony. 

" The committee complain that the people of Massachu- 



TEE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 99 

setts, in the election of the Council, in 1766, '67, and '68, 
' left out all the Crown officers.' 

" The committee narrate at some length the circumstances 
attending the seizure by the Collector and Comptroller of 
the Customs, of the sloop Libert}', the property of John Han- 
cock, of Boston. This happened on the 9th of May, 1768. 
It ' occasioned a most violent tumult ; the Collector and 
Comptroller, with the son of the Collector, were attacked by 
a numerous and outrageous mob, who beat and abused them 
in a most cruel manner; and in the night attacked their 
houses, broke the windows, seized on a boat belonging to 
the Collector, which they carried away in triumph, and 
afterwards burnt. The commissioners of the customs, ex- 
pecting the same treatment, the i"iot still continuing, thought 
it prudent to retreat for safety till midnight with their fami- 
lies to the houses of some persons in the neighborhood ; and 
afterwards, upon conviction that their hves were in danger, 
took refuge on board his Majestj 's ship the Eomney, then 
in the harbor of Boston, and for their further security, from 
thence into Castle William,' 

"The commissioners, from their retreat in the castle, ap- 
plied several times to the Governor, Sir Francis Bernard, 
for protection. But the tone of his reply shows entire help- 
lessness on his pai't, as well as a degree of timid acquies- 
cence in what was deemed inevitable. At length, on the 
22d of July, he referred the letter to the Council, which 
body fully"^ resolved ' That the disorders which happened 
were occasioned by the violent and unprecedented manner 
in which the sloop Liberty had been seized by the officers of 
the customs.' 

"Two regiments were sent to Boston in consequence of 
these events, to support the civil power and preserve the 
peace; but tiis proceeding was the source of new disorders. 
The troops were cautioned against quarrelling with the 
townspeople, ' by whom they complained they had been fre- 
quently ill-treated and insulted.' Nevertheless, violent col- 
lisions occurred between the troops and the citizens, which 
caused the latter to be fired upon, and several were killed. 

At a town meeting, on the 12th Septembei*, 1768, the free- 
holders and inhabitants of Boston declared, by resolution, 
that the taxation of the Colony by the British Parliament 
was a violation of the charter and of natural right. They 
also resolved, as the Governor refused to call the Assembly 
together, that a committee of their number should be 
elected to meet committees from the other towns of the 
Province, in convention, "in order that such measures 
might be consulted and advised as his Majesty's service, and 
the peace and safety of his subjects in the Province, might 
require." They alsn voted that " every listed soldier " "shall 
always be provided with a well-fixed fire-locJi musket, ac- 



100 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

coutrement, and amunition." This was based on the appre- 
hension of a war Avith France. 

The selectmen, by instruction of this town meeting, ad- 
dressed a long circular-letter to the other towns, in which 
their common grievances were set forth, and in which they 
were called on to send delegates, or, as they are called, 
committees, to meet in a Provincial convention for the pur- 
pose of devising measui-es of redress. The proposed con- 
vention was to assemble on the 22 of September. 

At tliis point I leave the report of the committee for a 
while, in order to refer to the proceedings of this convention. 

It met in Faneuil Hall, according to Barry, at the ap- 
pointed time, September 23d, 17G8. He says: 

"The convention called by the people of Boston met ac- 
cording to appointment ; and, on the first day, about seventy 
persons appeared, the representatives of sixty-six towns. 
This number was increased by daily arrivals, until ninety- 
six towns and eight districts, nearly every settlement in 
the Province, was represented. Otis was at first absent; 
and Thomas Gushing, the speaker of the House, was chosen 
moderator, and the clerk of the House was chosen clerk of 
the convention." 

"They have committed treason," shouted the oflScers of 
the Crown. " At least the select-men of Boston have done 
so." "Boston," wrote Gage, "is mutinous; its resolves are 
treasonable and desperate," etc. 

The convention petitioned the Governor to "cause an 
Assembly to be immediately convened. " This he declined to 
do, on the ground that it would be an admission of the le- 
gality of the body. He advised the members to separate at 
once, and, if they failed to do so, he would assert the preroga- 
tive of the Crown, and those who persisted in usurping its 
rights, would be made to "repent their rashness." "But," 
says the historian, ' ' the message was received with deri- 
sion." 

The convention continued in session six days, and re- 
peated the protest of the people against the taxation of 
the Colonies by Parliament, against a standing army, and 
against the danger to the "liberties of America, from a unit- 
ed body of pensioners and soldiers;"' and, after renewing 
their petition to the King, which their agent was enjoined 
to deliver in person, as soon as possible, they dissolved. 
" Some feai'ed, others hoped, for much more serious conse- 
quences from this extraordinary assembly." But its mem- 
bers, aware of the necessity of prudence, displayed in all 
their proceedings remarkable caution, and when the I'esult 
of their labors was transuiitted to England, though many 
would gladly have seized upon the slightest flaw to justify 
their exemplary punishment, "no traces of high treason 
could be found in what had been done." 



TEE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 101 

The Boston town meeting, and the convention which it 
called into being, caused great indignation among the gov- 
erning party in England. 

The King, in his speech, November 8th, refers to it as fol- 
lows: "Tlie capital town of which Colony appears, by late 
advices, to be in a state of disobedience to all law and gov- 
ernment, and has proceeded to measures subversive of the 
Constitution, and attended with circumstances that manifest 
a disposition to throw off their dependence on Great Brit- 
ain." The lords responded Amen to this speech ; and on the 
]5th December (I again quote this committee's report), they 
resolved, 

"That the declarations, resolutions, and proceedings in the 
town meeting at Boston ou the 14th of June and 12th of Sep- 
tember were illegal and unconstitutional, and calculated to 
excite sedition and insurrection in his Majesty's Province of 
Massachusetts Bay. 

"That the appointment, at the town meeting on the 12th 
of September, of a convention to be held in the town of Bos- 
ton on the 22d of that month to consist of deputies from 
the several towns and districts in the Province of Massa- 
chusetts Bay, and the issuing a precept, by the select-men 
of the town of Boston, to each of the said towns and districts, 
for the election of such deputies, were proceedings subver- 
sive of his Majesty's government, and evidently manifesting 
a design in the inhabitants of the said town of Boston to set 
up a new and unconstitutional authority, independent of the 
Crown of Great Britain. 

That the elections, by several towns and districts in the 
Province of Massachusetts Bay, of deputies to sit in the said 
convention, and the meeting of such convention in conse- 
quence thereof, were daring insults offered to his Majesty's 
authority, and audacious usurpations of the powers of gov- 
ernment." 

The first of these series of resolutions declares that the 
votes, resolutions, and proceedings of the House of Eepre- 
sentatives of Massachusetts Bay, in the months of January 
and February of the same year (1768), so far as they deny 
the right of the King and Parliament to make laws binding 
upon the Colonies in all cases whatsoever, "are illegal, un- 
constitutional, and derogatory of the rights of the Crown 
and Parliament of Great Britain." 

The second of these resolutions declares that the resolu- 
tions of the Massachusetts Assembly in January preceding, 
which provide for sending delegates to a general convention 
of the Colonies, and which deny the validity of acts of Par- 
liament, etc., "are proceedings of a most unwarrantable 
and dangerous nature, calculated to inflame the minds of 
his Majesty's subjects in the other Colonies, tending to create 



102 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

unlawful combinations, repugnant to the laws of Great Brit- 
ain, and subversive of the Constitution. " 

On the same day an humble address was voted to his Maj- 
esty, "to express our sincere satisfaction in the measures 
his Majesty has pursued for supporting? tlie constitution, 
and inducing a due obedience to the authority of the leglis- 
lature." The measures here refered to which gave such 
satisfaction to their lordships were not unlike those recom- 
mended by Dr. Franklin, in his humorous letter addressed 
to the rulers of England, in \Thich lie points out the most 
effective plan for I'oducing a gi-eat empire to a small one. 

The House of Commons, on the 9th of February, 17G9, re- 
turned the resolutions and address of the lords, with some 
amendments, which the latter boly agi'eed to. 

The committee whose elaborate report I am quoting from 
naively remark that "It doth not appear to the committee 
that the censure of the proceedings in the Province of IMas- 
sachusetts Bay, and of the conduct of the Council and other 
civil magistrates, expressed by both Houses of Parliament 
in their resolutions, and their approbation of the measure of 
sending troops thither to support and protect the magis- 
trates, and the officers of the revenue, produced the good 
effect that might reasonably have been hoped for." One 
would have supposed that observations such as the above 
might have led the committee to the conclusion that a 
change of policy was necessary ; but the effect was to confirm 
their lordships, as well as the King and Parliament, in the 
notion that the same tyrannical policy should be persisted 
in and carried to greater extremes of harshness. This fatal 
delusion is always sure to possess the minds of men who are 
in the exercise of arbitrary power. 

The Parliamentary committee complain that the " Meet- 
ings of the associatoi's were represented to have been held 
in as regular a manner as any other meeting authorized by 
the Constitution. Committees were appointed to examine 
the cargoes of aU vessels arriving from Great Britain ; and, 
regular votes and resolutions of censure wei-e passed in 
these meetings upon aU such as refused to concur in those 
unlawful associations; their names were published in the 
public newspapers as enemies to their country ; and the man- 
dates and decrees of those committees meet with a respect 
and obedience denied to the constitutional authority of gov- 
ernment. In some cases, goods imported from Great Britain 
were locked up in warehouses, under the care of these com- 
mittees, in order to prevent their being sold, and in one or 
two instances they were I'eshippod to Great Britain." 

On the 3fst of May the General Ai-'sembly sent a message 
to the Governor, complaining of the presence of troo])S in 
the town of Boston, and ships in the harbor, and calling on 
Mm to have them sent away, as their presence was incom- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 103 

patible with the dignity and independence of the Assemblj^. 
The Governor rcphed that he had no control over the troops 
or the ships; to which the Assembly, on the 31st of June, 
made answer that, "By the principles of the Constitution, 
the Governor of the Colony had the absolute military com- 
mand ; that the sending a military force there to enforce the 
execution of the laws is in consistent with the nature of govern- 
ment and thespirit of a free constitution ; that the unwilling- 
ness, of a people in general, that a law should be executed was 
a strong presumption of its being an unjust law ; that it could 
not be their law, as the people must consent to laws before 
they can be obliged, in conscience, to obey them." 

On the 8th of July the Assembly passed resolutions de- 
claring that all trials for offences committed in the Colony 
ought of right to be had in the Colony; and that to send such 
persons for trial beyond the sea " is highly derogatory of 
the rights of British subjects, as thereby the inestimable 
privilege of being ti'ied by a jury from the vicinage, as well 
as the liberty of summoning and producing witnesses on 
such trials, will be taken away from the party accused." 

The Pai'liamentary committee give the substance of a 
letter from Lieutenant-governor Hutchinson, of March 27, 
1770, who lamented that when the troops were in Boston 
they were of no use in enforcing the laws in cases of riot, 
as no civil magistrate would have called on them, for fear 
of being driven from the town. 

Hutchinson, in a letter of April 27. 1770, complains of 
the associators that they would not tolerate the sale of what 
they called contraband goods— that is to say, such as were 
not enumerated in their schedule ; that tea from Holland 
might be sold, but that it v>'as a high crime to sell any from 
England; "that several of the importers pleaded that they 
should be utterly ruined, but the Boston zealots had no 
bowels, and gave for answer, that, if a ship was to bring in 
the plague, nobody would doubt what was to be done with her ; 
but the present case is much worse than that. " 

In the same letter Hutchinson observes " that the Boston 
principles obtain more and more in the remote parts of the 
Province, and the Representatives of seven eighths of the 
towns appear, in the present session, to be favorers of the 
non-importation measures." He states, however, that, when 
the resolutions and addresses of Parliament first came to 
hand, they had a terrifying effect upon the popular leaders 
and the press ; but after a few weeks, when they found that 
the vigorous measures were relaxed, "they became more 
assuming and tyrannical than before." 

In 1771, July 5th, the Assembly declare that " they know 
of no commissioners of his Majesty's customs, nor of any 
revenue his Majesty has a right to establish, in North Amer- 
ica ; that they know and feel a tribute levied and extorted 



104 TEE BIRTH OF THE BEPTTBLICI. 

from those who, if they have property, have a right to 
the absolute disposal of it." 

The Parliamentray committee quote the address of the 
select -men of Boston to the Governor, of October 23, 1772, 
in which they earnestly protest against the recent act of 
Parliament which applied the revenues of the Province to the 
payment of fixed salaries to the judges of the Superior Court, 
and the attorney and solicitor-general, in violation of the 
Charter. At the same meeting, a committee for correspon- 
dence with the other towns of the Province was established. 

On the 25th January, 1773, the Council, in its answer to 
the Governor, declare, " They are of opinion that the Parlia- 
ment cannot constitutionally levy taxes, in any form, on 
his Majesty's subjects in that Province." 



THE BOSTON TEA PARTY. 

The Parliamentary committee give the following account 
of the destruction of the tea in Boston Harbor; and of the 
preliminary proceedings and acts of violence of the town's 
people which led to it : 

" The committee of correspondence appear to have used 
their utmost endeavors to work up the minds of the people 
not only for their own, but also the southern governments, 
to prevent the importation of teas from the East India Com- 
pany ; and accordingly, on the 3d of November, 1773, a mob 
of about five hundred persons committed several outrageous 
acts of violence against the persons to whom it was expected 
the tea in question would be consigned ; insisting that they 
should engage and promise not to receive or sell it ; that if 
they did, they would be voted enemies to their covmtry, and 
must expect to be treated as such hereafter. They then 
forced open the doors of the warehouses of Mr. Clark, and 
tore them off the hinges, and entered v/itli great violence, 
attempting to force their way to the counting-house, but 
were driven back by the persons who were in it. 

" A committee then of the freeholders and other inhabit- 
ants attended Messrs. Thomas and Eiisha Hutchinson, sup- 
posed to be two of the consignees, and requested them to 
resign their appointment, and, upon their refusing, voted 
their answer unsatisfactory. Governor Hutchinson did 
everything in his power, without the Council, for the pres- 
ervation of the peace and good order of the town, and 
thought that, if he had the aid Council might have given, 
his endeavors would have been more effectual. 

" On the 7th of November, 1773, a large niunber of people 
beset the house of Mr. Hutchinson, but, not finding him at 
home, proceeded to Mr. Clark's, another of the consignees, 
where they committed great disordei's— broke the glasses 



tHE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIG. 105 

and frames of the windows, and did considerable damage. 
After this riot, the Governor immediately summoned a Coun- 
cil, and laid before them the necessity of some measures be- 
ing taken; but the Council declined advising or dii'ecting 
any measures for landing the tea, suggesting that then 
they would of course advise to a measure for procuring the 
payment of the duty, and therefore be advising to a measure 
inconsistent with the declared sentiment of both Houses in 
the last winter session of the General Court, which they ap- 
prehended to be altogether inexpedient and improper. 

" After the arrival of a ship loaded with tea, a meeting of 
the people of Boston and the neighboring towns was held on 
the 29fch of November, and continued, by adjournment, tdl 
the next day, when a motion was made and agreed to, nem. 
con., that the tea should be not only sent back, but that no 
duty should be paid thereon. 

"It was also voted, nem. con., that Mr. Rotch, owner of 
the vessel, and Captain Hall, the master of the ship, at their 
peril, shoiild not suffer any of the tea to be landed; it was 
also voted that Governor Hutchinson's conduct in request- 
ing the justices of the peace to meet to suppi'essall riots and 
unlawful assemblies carried a designed reflection upon the 
people there met, and was solely calculated to serv^e the 
views of administration. They afterwards voted that the 
tea brought by Captain Hall should be returned by Mr. 
Rotch to England, in the same botton in which it came. It 
was also voted, 7?cm. co^., that six persons should be appointed 
to give due notice to the towns in the covmtry, when they 
should be required so to do, upon any important occasion. 

" They also resolved that, if any person or persons should 
hereafter import any tea from Great Britain, or if any 
master or masters of any vessel or vessels in Great Britain 
should take the same on board to be imported to that place, 
until the said unrighteous act should be repealed, he or they 
should be deemed by that body an enemy to his country ; 
and that they would prevent the landing and sale of the 
same, and the payment of any duty thereon; and that they 
would effect the return thei'eof to the place from whence it 
came. 

"They also resolved that these their votes be printed 
and sent to England and all the sea ports in the province. 
Before they separated, they voted that their brethren in the 
country should be desired to give their assistance upon the 
first notice that should be given. 

" After the dissolution of this assembly of the people, what 
is called the committee of correspondence called in commit- 
tees of other towns, kept up a military watch and guard 
every night to prevent the landing any teas, and appeared 
to be the executioners of the resolves and orders passed at 
the aforesaid assembly. 



106 TEE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

" The consignees having retired to the castle, the owner of 
the first ship that arrived was the pi-incipal person applied 
to, and he was sent for repeatedly by these committees, and 
was frequently required to send back the ship with the teas. 
He pleaded ' that he could not get a clearance at the custom- 
house nor a pass for the castle; and that, if he should be 
able to get his ship out of the harbor, both ship and cargo 
would be forfeited in every part of the King's dominions. ' 
This was not thought satisfactory, and the next morning 
another assembly of the people met and chose a moderator. 
At this meeting it was determined that Mr. Rotch, the 
owner of the ship, should demand at the custom-house a 
clearance of the teas for England, which was done the 15th, 
when the collector and comptroller refused to grant it. 

' ' He then was obliged to demand a permit from the naval 
office to pass the castle ; afterwards he was sent to the Gov- 
ernor to apply to him for the permit, who soon satisfied 
him that no permit could be granted until the vessel was 
regularly cleared. He returned to town that evening, and 
reported this answer to the meeting. Immediately where- 
upon, numbers of the people cried out, ' A mob ! a mob !' left 
the house, repaired to the wharfs where three of the vessels 
lay aground, having on board thi^ee hundred and forty 
cllests of tea, and in two hours' time it was totally destroyed. 
A sufficient number of people for doing the work were dis- 
guised, and these were surrounded by numbers, as well of 
the inhabitants of Boston, as of other towns. 

"The committee observe that many persons of considera- 
tion in the town of Boston took the lead in the proceedings 
of this meeting, for whose names they beg leave to refer 
your lordships to the papers themselves." 

This affair drew forth from the King "under his royal 
sign manual,"' a letter to Parhament, and that body pro- 
ceeded to pass the famous "Boston Port Bill," closing the 
harbor against ingress or egress "for all goods, wares, and 
merchandise." 



THE BOSTON TORT BILL. 



This bill was approved by the Khig, March 31, 1774. It 
is entitled " An act to Discontinue, in such Manner and for 
such Time as therein Mentioned, the Landing and Discharg- 
ing, Lading or Shipping, of Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, 
at the Town and within the Harbor of Boston, in the Prov- 



TEE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 107 

ince of Massachusetts Bay, in North America." The title of 
the act may be thought to indicate sufficiently its character 
and scope, without a recital of its provisions; but for the 
convenience of reference, the principal sections are presented 
below. The preamble alleges "dangerous commotions and 
insurrections," in which "valuable cargoes of teas, being 
the property of the East India Company, and on board cer- 
tain vessels lying within the bay or harbor of Boston, were 
seized and destroyed," as the reason, for the passage of the 
act. A proviso excepts, from the general prohibition of com- 
merce, "any fuel or victual brought coastwise from any 
part of the continent of America, for the necessary use and 
sustenance of the inhabitants of the said town of Boston." 

Extracts From the Bill. 

"Anno Decimo-Quarto Georgii III., Regis. 

"An Act to Discontinue, in such Manner and for such 
Time as are therein Mentioned, the Landing and Discharging, 
Lading or Shipping, of Goods, Wares, and Merchandise at the 
Town and within the Harbor of Boston, in the Province of 
Massachusetts Bay, in North America. Approved March 31, 
1774. 

" Whereas, dangerous commotions and insurrections have 
been fomented and raised in the town of Boston, of Massa- 
chusetts Bay, in New England, by divers ill-affected persons, 
to the subversion of his Majesty's government, and to the 
utter destruction of the public peace and good order of the 
said town, in which commotions and insurrections, certain 
valuable cargoes of tea, being the property of the East India 
Company, and on board certain vessels lying within the 
bay or harbor of Boston, were seized and destroyed; and, 
whereas, in the present condition of the town and harbor, 
the commerce of his Majesty's subjects cannot be safely car- 
ried on there, nor the customs payable to his Majesty duly 
collected ; and it is therefore expedient that the officers of 
his Majesty's customs should be forthwith removed from 
the said town; may it please your Majesty that it maybe 
enacted, and be it enacted by the King's most excellent Maj- 
esty, by and with the advice and consent of the loi-ds, spir- 
itual and temporal, and commons in this present Parlia- 
ment assembled, and by the authority of the same, that 
from and after the first day of June, 1774, it shall not be 
lawful for any person or persons whatsoever to lade or 
put, or cause, or procure to be laden or put off or from any 
quay, wharf, or other place within the said town of Boston, 
or in or upon any part of the shore of the bay commonly 
called the harbor of Boston, between a certain headland or 
point called Nahant Point, on the eastern side of the entrance 
into the said bay, and a certain headland or point called 



108 THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIO. 

Alderton Point, on the "western side of the entrance into the 
said bay, or in or upon any island, creek, landing-place, 
bank, or other place within the said bay or hpadland, into 
any ship, vessel, lighter, boat, or bottom any goods, wares, 
or merchandise whatsoever to be transported or carried into 
any other country, province, or place whatsoever, or mto 
any other part of tlie said Provmce of the Massachusetts 
Bay, in New England ; or to take up, discharge, or lay on 
land, or cause or procure to be taken up, discharged, or laid 
on land, within the said town, or in or upon any of the places 
aforesaid, out of any boat, lighter, ship, vessel, or bottom 
any goods, wares, or merchandise whatsoever, to be brought 
from any other country, province or place, or ixwj other 
part of the said Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New 
England, upon pain of forfeiture of the said goods, wares, 
and merchandise, and of the said boat, lighter, ship, vessel, 
or other bottom into which the same shall be put, or out of 
which the same shall be taken, and of the guns, ammunition, 
tackle, furniture, and stores in or belonging to the same ; 
and if any such goods, wares, or merchandise shall within 
the said town, or in the places aforesaid, be laden or taken 
in from the shore, into any barge, hoy, lighter, wherry, or 
boat to be candied on board any ship or vessel outward- 
bound to any other country or province, or other part of 
said Province of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, or be 
laden or taken into such barge, hoy, lighter, wherry, or out 
of any ship or vessel coming and arriving from any other 
country or province, or other part of the said Province of 
the Massaclausetts Bay, in New England, such barge, hoy, 
lighter, wherry, or boat, shall be forfeited and lost. 

"And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, 
That if any wharfinger or keeper of any wharf, crane, or quay, 
or their servants, or any of them, shall take up or land, or 
knowingly suffer to be taken up or landed, or shall ship off, 
or suffer to be shipped off, at or from any quay of the afore- 
said wharfs, cranes, or quays any such goods, wares, or mer- 
chandise ; in every such case, all and every such w^harfingers, 
and keeper, of such wharf, crane, or quay, and every person 
whatsoever, who shall be assisting or otherwise concerned 
in the shipping, or in the loading or putting on board any 
boat or other vessel, for that purpose, or in the unshipping 
such goods, wares, and merchandise, or to whose hands the 
same shall knowingly come after the loading, shipping, or 
unshipping thereof, shall forfeit and lose treble the value 
thereof, to be computed at the highest price which such goods, 
wares, and merchandise shall bear at the place where such 
offence shall be committed at the time when the same shall 
be so committed, togetlier with the vessel and boats, and all 
horses, cattle, and carriages whatsoever made use of in the 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 109 

shipping, unshipping:, lading, removing, carriage, or convey- 
ance of any of the aforesaid goods, wares, and merchandise. 

"Provided always. That nothing in the act contained shall 
extend, or be construed to extend, to any military or other 
stores for his Majesty's use, or to the ships or vessels whereon 
the same shall be laden, which shall be commissioned by and 
in the immediate pay of his Majesty, his heirs and succes- 
sors; nor to any fuel or victual brouglit coastways from any 
part of the continent of North America for the necessary use 
and sustenance of the inhabitants of the said town of Bos- 
ton ; provided the vessel wherein the same are to be carried, 
shall be duly furnished with a cocket and let-pass after 
having been duly searched by the proper officers of his 
Majesty's customs at Marblehead, in the port of Salem, in 
the Province of Massachusetts Bay; and the same officers of 
his Majesty's customs be also put on board the said vessel, 
who is hereby authorized to go on board and proceed with 
the said vessel, together with a sufficient number of persons 
properly armed for his defence, to the said town or harbor of 
Boston; nor to any ships or vessels which may happen to be 
within the said harbor of Boston on or before the first day 
of June, 1774, and may have either laden or taken on board, 
or be there with intent to load or take on board, or to land 
or discharge, any goods, wares, or merchandise, provided the 
said ships and vessels do depart the said harbor within four- 
teen days after the first day of June, 1774." 

The Parliamentary committee relate the particulars of 
"a most inhuman act of violence" committed by a mob, 
upon John Malcolm, a revenue officer, who had made a 
seizure of a vessel in the port of Falmouth, in Casco Bay. 
The mob doubtless acted very brutally ; but the committee 
say that it was composed entirely of the lower orders, and 
that Malcolm had indiscreetly at other times given provo- 
cation to the people. He was tax-red and feathered, and 
severely beaten. 

On the 1st of February, 1774, the House of Representatives 
of Massachusetts required the Chief Justice, Oliver, and the 
four Superior Court judges to declare " whether they would 
receive the grants of Assembly for their salaries, or accept 
their support from the Crown." The four judges consented 
to receive their salaries from the Province ; but the Chief 
Justice stated that he would continue to "accept his support 
from the Crown." On this statement the Assembly remon- 
strated to the Governor and declared Oliver to be a public 
enemy. Faihng to procure his removal, they voted to ad- 
journ the court, which by law was to be held on the 15th of 
February, to the 22d of that month, to which the Governor 
refused his consent. 

On the 17th June, 1774, the House of Representatives, as 
has been noticed in the summary of the lords' report, ap- 



110 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

pointed the "Honorable James Bowdoin, Esq., the Honor- 
able Thomas Gushing, Esq., Mr. Samuel Adams, John Adams, 
and Robert Treat Paine, Esquires," a committee to meet the 
commitK^es or delegates from other Colonies, at the city of 
Philadelphia, or any other place that might be deemed more 
suitable, on the 1st of September, " to consult upon the pres- 
ent state of the Colonies, and the miseries to wliich they 
are and must be reduced by the operation of certain acts 
of Parliament respecting America; and to deliberate and 
determine upon wise and proper measures to be by them 
recommended to all the Colonies, for the recovejy and es- 
tablishment of their just rights and liberties, civil and relig- 
ious, and the restoration of union and harmonj^ between 
Great Britain and the Colonies, most devoutly desired by all 
good men.'' 
These proceedings are as follows: 

"MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 

"The late Honorable House of Representatives of this 
Province having finished all the oi-dinary public business of 
importance that had been before them on Friday, June 17, 
1774, came into the following resolutions, — present 129 mem- 
bers, and only 12 dissentients, yu,. : 

" In the House of Representatives, June 17, 1774. 

" This House having duly considered, and being deeply af- 
fected with, the unhappy differences w^hich have long sub- 
sisted and are increasing between Great Britain and the 
American Colonies, do resolve that a meeting of the com- 
mittees from the several Colonies on this continent is highly 
expedient and necessary to consult upon the present state of 
the Colonies, and the miseries to which they are and must 
be reduced Iby the operation of certain acts of Parliamient 
respecting America ; and to deliberate and determine upon 
wise and proper measures to be by them recommended to 
all the Colonies, for the recovery and establishment of their 
just rights and liberties, civil and religious, and the resto- 
ration of union and harmony between Great Britain and the 
Colonies, most ardently desired by all good men. 

" Therefore resolved, That the Honorable James Bowdoin, 
Esq., the Honorable Thomas Cushing, Esq., ]\Ir. Samuel 
Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat Paine, Esquires, be 
and they are hereby appointed a committee on the pai't of 
this Province for the purposes aforesaid, any three of whom 
to be a quorum to meet such committees or delegates from 
the other Colonies as have been or may be appointed, either 
by their respective Houses of Burgesses or Representatives, 
or by convention, or by the committees of correspondence 
appointed by the respective Houses of Assembly, to meet in 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. Ill 

the city of Philadelphia, or any other place that shall be 
judged most suitable by the committee, on the 1st day of 
September next; and that the speaker of the House be di- 
rected, in a letter to the Houses of Burgesses or Repi-esenta- 
tives. in the several Colonies, to inform them of the sub- 
stance of these resolves. 

" And whereas, this House did resolve that there be paid 
to said committee out of the public treasury the sum of five 
hundred pounds, to enable them to discharge the important 
trust to which they are appointed, they upon their return 
to be accountable for the same. 

" And said resolve was sent up to the honorable board for 
their concurrence, who accordingly concurred in the resolve 
of the House; but his Excellency the Governor declined 
his consent to the same. 

" Wherefore this House would recommend, and they do ac- 
cordingly hereby recommend, to the several towns and dis- 
tricts within the Province, that each town and district 
raise, collect, and pay to the Honorable Thomas Gushing, 
Esquire, of Boston, the sum of five hmidred pounds by the 
15th day of August next, agreeable to a list herewith exhib- 
ited, being each town and distiict's proportion of said sum, 
according to the last Province tax, to enable them to dis- 
charge the important trust to which they are appointed, 
they upon their return to be accountable for the same." 

On the same day the House strongly i-ecommended "To 
the inhabitants of the Province, that they renounce alto- 
gether the consumption of India teas, and, as far as in them 
lies, discontinue the use of all goods and manufactures what- 
ever that shall be imported from the East Indies and Great 
Britain, until the public grievances of America shall be rad- 
ically and totally redressed. And it is also further recom- 
mended to all, that they give all possible encouragement to 
the manufactures of America." 

When these proceedings became known to the Governor, 
Gage, he sent his secretary to acquaint the two Houses, it was 
his pleasui-e that the General Assembly should be dissolved. 
Finding the door of the Representatives Chamber locked, 
the secretary sent the messenger to inform the sj^eaker that 
he was there ready to deliver a message from the Governor, 
and to desire he might be admitted to deliver it. "The mes- 
senger returned and said he had acqviainted the speaker 
therewith, who mentioned it to the House, and their orders 
were to keep the door fast." 



112 THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIG. 



ABOLITION OF THE CHARTER. 

May 20, 1774, the act of Parliament "for Better Regu- 
lating the Government of the Province of Massachusetts 
Bay" was passed. It revoked the privilege granted by the 
Charter of William and Mary, of allowing the counsellors to 
be elected by the Genei-al Court, or Assembly, and provides 
that after the 1st day of July, 1774, they be appointed by 
the sovereign, to hold their places during the pleasure of his 
Majesty, his heirs and successors. It conferred upon tfie 
Governor the right to nominate and appoint, and to remove, 
without the consent of the Council, all judges of the Inferior 
Courts of Common Pleas, courts of Oyer and Terminer, the 
attorney-general, provosts, marshals, justices of the peace, 
and other officers to the Council or courts of justice beldng- 
ing. The Governor was authorized to remove and appoint 
sheriffs; the Governor and Council could appoint the judges 
of the Superior Court, including the Chief Justice, who were 
removable at the pleasure of the King. The act prohibits 
the calling of public meetings by the select-men, or by the 
freeholders, without the consent of the Governor in writing. 
The avowed object of this prohibition was to prevent such 
meetings, because the people arc " misled to treat upon mat- 
ters of the most general concern, and to pass many danger- 
ous and unwarrantable lesolves." Meetmgs of the people 
were only permitted, by the act, for the election of officers, 
and all discussion or politics was forbidden. The act abol- 
ished the practice of electing jurors by the freeholders in 
their town meetings, and made it the duty of the sheriff 
(himself appointed and removable by the Governor) to make 
out the list; and the venire for summoning the jury was to 
be directed to the sheriff, instead of the constable or other 
officer. 

TO BE SENT BEYOND THE SEA FOR TRIAL. 

" The Act for the Impartial Administration of Justice in 
the Cases of Persons Questioned for any Act done by Them 
in execution of the Law, or for the Suppression of Riots and 
Tumults in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in New Eng- 
land" was approved on the same day. May 20th, with the 
foregoing act for abolishing the Charter, and, indeed, it was 
part and parcel of the same arbitrary and despotic policy. 
It provides " that, if any inquisition or indictment shaU be 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 113 

found, or if any appeal shall be sued or preferred against 
any person, for murder, or other capital offence, in the 
Province of Massachusetts Bay, and it shall appear by in- 
formation given upon oath to the Governor,'' that the fact 
was committed by the person thus indicted in the discharge 
of his duty as a magistrate or revenue officer, or in aid of 
these officers in execution of the laws or in the suppression 
of riots; " and if it shall also appear, to the satisfaction of 
the said Governor," " that an indifferent trial cannot be had 
within the said Province,'' with the advice and consent of 
the Council, that the inquisition, indictment, or appeal shall 
be tried in some other of his Majesty's Colonies or in Great 
Britain. In all such cases where magistrates or officers are 
indicted for mui-der, they are nevertheless entitled to bail, 
any law or usage to the contrary notwithstanding. Wit- 
nesses for the parties indicted, as well as for the prosecution, 
to be paid reasonable expenses for attendance on the dis- 
tant court to which the trial may be removed. 

The main features of these important acts of Parlia- 
ment, for abolishing the Charter of Massachusetts, and for 
transporting certain offenders beyond the sea or to another 
Colony for trial, are herewith annexed, as follows : 



ACT ABOLISHING THE CHARTER OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

"Anno Decimo quarto Georgii III., Regis. An Act for 
the Better Regulating the Government of the Province of 
the Massachusetts Bay, in New England. 

" Approved Friday, May 20, 1774. 

" Whereas, by letters patent under the great seal of Eng- 
land, made in the third year of the reign of their late Majes- 
ties King William and Queen Mary, tmiting, erecting, and 
incorporating the several Colonial territories and tracts of 
land therein mentioned into one real Province by the name 
their Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New 
England; whereby it was, amongst other things, ordained 
and estaibhshed that the Governor of the said Province 
should from thenceforth be appointed and commissioned, by 
their Majesties, their heirs and successors, — it was, however, 
granted and ordained that from the expiration of the term 
for and during which the eight and twenty persons named 
in the said letters patent were appointed to be the first 
counsellors or assistants to the Governor of the said Prov- 
ince for the time being, the aforesaid number of eight and 
twenty counsellors or assistants should yearly once in 
every year forever thereafter be by the general court or As- 
sembly newly chosen ; and whereas, the said method of 
electing such counselloi's or assistants to be vested with the 
several powers, authorities, and privileges therein men- 



114 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

tioned, although conformable to the practice heretofore used 
in such of the Colonies thereby united, in which the ap- 
pointment of the respective Governors had been vested in 
the general courts or Assemblies of the said Colonies, hath 
by repeated experiences been found to be extremely ill- 
adaplicd to the plan of government established in the Prov- 
ince of Massachusetts Bay, by the said letters patent herein- 
before mentioned, and hath been so far from contributing 
to the attainment of the good end and purposes thereby in- 
tended, and to the promoting of the internal welfare, peace, 
and good government of the said Province, or to the main- 
tenance of the just subordination to and conformity with 
the laws of Great Britain, that the manner of exercising the 
powers, authorities, and privileges aforesaid by the persons 
so annually elected, hath for some time past been such as 
had the most manifest tendency to obstruct and in great 
measure defeat the execution of the laws, etc. 

" Be it therefore enacted by the King's most excellent Maj- 
esty, by aad with the advice and consent of the lords, spirit- 
ual and temporal, and commons in this present Parliament 
assembled, and by the authority of the same, That from and 
after the first day of August, one thousand seven hundred 
and seventy -four, so much of the charter granted by their 
Majesties King William and Queen Mary, to the inhabi- 
tants of the said Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New 
England, and all and every clause, matter, and thing there- 
in contained which relates to the time and manner of elect- 
ing the assistants or counsellors for the said Province, be 
revoked, and is hereb;/ revoked and made void and of none 
effect; and that the offices of all counsellors and assistants 
elected and appointed in pursuance thereof shall from 
thenceforth cease and determine ; and that from and after 
the said first day of August, one thousand seven hundred 
and seventy-four, the Council or court of assistants of the 
said Province, for the time being, shall be composed of such 
of the inhabitants or proprietors of lands within the same 
as shall be thereunto nominated and appointed by his Ma- 
jesty, his heirs, and successors, from time to time by 
warrant under his or their signet or sign manual, and with 
the advice of the Privy Council agreeable to the practice 
now used in respect to the appointment of counsellors in 
such of his Majesty's other Colonies in America the Gov- 
ernors whereof are appointed by commission under the 
great seal of Great Britain; provided that the niimber of 
the said assistants or counsellors, shall not at any one time 
exceed thirty-six nor be less than twelve. 

"And it Is hereby further enacted. That the said assist- 
ants or counsellors "so to be appointed as aforesaid, shall 
hold their offices respectively for and dm-ing the pleasure of 
his Majesty, his heirs or successors ; and shall have and en- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIG. 115 

joy all the powers, privileges, and immunities at present 
held, exercised, and enjoyed by the assistants or counsellors 
of the said Province constituted and elected from time to 
time under the said charter (except as hereinafter excepted) ; 
and shall also, upon their admission into the said Council, 
and before they enter upon the execution of their offices, 
respectively take the oaths and make, repeat, and subscribe 
the declarations required, as well by the said charter as by 
any law or laws of the said Province now in force to be 
taken by the assistants or counsellors who have been so 
elected and constituted as aforesaid. 

"And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
That from and after the first day of July, one thousand 
seven hundred and seventy -four, it shall and may be lawful 
for his Majesty's Governor, for the time being, of the said 
Province, or, in his absence, for the Lieutenant-governor, to 
nominate and appoint under the seal of the Province, from 
time to time, and also to remove without the consent of the 
Council, all judges of the Inferior Courts of Common Pleas, 
commissioners of Oyer and Terminer, the attorney' -general, 
provosts, marshals, justices of the peace, and other officers 
to the Council or courts of justice "belonging; and that all 
judges of the Inferior Courts of Common Pleas, commis- 
sioners of Oyer and Terminer, the attorney-general, pro- 
vosts, marshals, justices, and other officers so appointed by 
the Governor, or in his absence by the Lieutenant-governor 
alone, shall and may have, hold, and exercise their said 
offices, powers, and authorities as fully and completely to 
all intents and purposes as any judges of the Inferior Courts 
of Common Pleas, commissioners of Oyer and Terminer, 
attorney -general, provosts, marshals, or other officers, have 
or might liave done heretofore under the said letters patent, 
in the third reign of their late Majesties King WiUiam and 
Queen Mary; any law, statute, or usage to the contrary 
notwithstanding. 

"Provided always, and be it enacted. That nothing herein 
contained shall extend, or be construed to extend, to annul 
or make void the commission granted before the said first 
day of July, one thousand seven hundi-ed and seventy-four, 
to any judges of the Inferior Courts of Common Pleas, com- 
missioners of Oyer and Terminer, the attorney-general, pro-- 
vosts, marshals, justices of the peace, or other officers ; but 
that they may hold and exercise the same as if this act had 
never been made, until the same shall be determmed by 
death, removal by the Governor, or other avoidance as the 
case may happen. 

"And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
That from and after the said first day of July, one thousand 
seven hundred and seventy-four, it shall and may be lawful 
for his Majesty's Governor, or in his absence for the Lieu- 



116 THE BIRTn OF THE REPUBLIC. 

tenant-governor, for the time being, of the said Province, 
from time to time, to nominate and appoint the sheriffs 
without the consent of the council, and to remove such shei'- 
iffs with such consent and not otherwise. 

"And bo it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
That upon every vacancy of the offices of Chief Justice and 
judges of the Supreme Court of the said Province, from and 
after the said first day of July, one thousand seven hundred 
and seventy four, the Governor, for the time being, or in his 
absence the Lieutenant-governor, without the consent of the 
Council, shall have full power and authority to nominate and 
appohit tlie persons to succeed to the said officers, who shall 
hold their commissions during the pleasure of his Majesty, 
his heirs and successors; and that neither the Chief Justice 
and judges appointed before the said first day of July, one 
thousand seven hundred and seventy -four, nor those who 
shall hereafter be appointed pursuant to this act shall be 
removed unless by the order of his Majesty, his heirs or 
successors, under his or their sign manual. 

"Be it enacted, That from and after the said first day of 
August, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-four, no 
meeting shall be called by the select-men, or at the request 
of any number of freeholders of any township, district, or 
precinct, without the leave of the Governor, or in his ab- 
sence of the Lieutenant-governor, in writing, expressing the 
special business of the said meetings first had and obtained, 
except the annual meetings in the months of March or May 
for the choice of select-men, constables, and other officers, 
or except for the choice of persons to fill up the offices afore- 
said, on the death or removal of any of the persons first 
elected to such offices, and also except any meeting for the 
election of a representative or representatives in the general 
court, and that no other matter shall be treated of at such 
meetings, except the eiection of their aforesaid officers or 
representatives, nor at any other meeting except the busi- 
ness expressed in the leave given by the Governor, or, in his 
absence, by the Lieutenant-governor. 

" And Avhereas, the method at present used in the Prov- 
ince of Massachusetts Bay, in America, of electing persons 
to serve on grand juries and other juries by the freeholders 
and inhabitants of the several towns, affords occasion for 
many evil practices, and tends to pervert the free and 
impartial administration of justice; for remedy whereof. 
Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That fi-om 
and after the respective times appointed for the holding of 
the General Sessions of the Peace, in the several counties 
within the said Province, next after the month of September, 
one thousand seven hundred and seventy-four, the jurors to 
serve at the Superior Courts of Judicature, Courts of Assize, 
General Gaol Delivery, General Sessions of the Peace, and 



THE BIRTH OF THE BEPURLIG. 117 

Inferior Courts of Common Pleas, in the several counties 
within the said Province, shall not be elected, nominated, or 
appointed by the freeholders and inhabitants of the several 
towns within the said respective counties, nor summoned or 
returned by the constables of the said towns ; but that, from 
thenceforth, the jurors to serve at the Superior Courts of 
Judicature, Courts of Assize, General Gaol Delivery, General 
Sessions of the Peace, and Inferior Court of Common Pleas, 
within the said Province, shall be summoned and returned 
by the sheriffs of the respective covmties within the said 
Province ; and all writs of venire facias to be issued for the 
return of jurors to serve at the said courts shall be directed 
to the sheriffs of the said counties respectivelj-, any law, 
custom, or usage to the contrary notwithstanding." 



ACT FOR SENDING CRIMINALS OUT OP MASSACHUSETTS FOR 
TRIAL. 

" Anno Decimo Quarto Georgii III, Regis. An Act for the 
Impai'tial Administration of Justice in the Cases of Persons 
Questioned for any Acts Done by Them in Execution of the 
Law, or for the Suppression of Riots and Tumults, in the 
Province of Massachusetts Bay, in New England." 

"Approved Friday, May 20, 1774. 

"Whereas, in his Majesty's Province of Massachusetts 
Bay, in New England, an attempt has lately been made to 
throw off the authority of the Parliament of Great Britain 
over the said Province, and an actual and avowed resistance 
by open force to the execution of certain acts of Parliament, 
hath been suffered to take place uncontrolled and unpun- 
ished, in defiance of his Majesty's authority, and to the utter 
subversion of all lawful government; and whereas, in the 
present disordered state of the said Province, it is of the 
utmost importance to the general welfare thereof, and to 
the re-estabhshment of lawful authority throughout the same, 
that neither the magistrates acting in support of the laws, 
nor any of his Majesty's subjects aiding and assisting them 
therein or in the suppression of riots and tumults raised in 
opposition to the execution of the laws and statutes of this 
realm, should be discouraged from the proper discharge of 
their duty by an apprehension that, in case of their being 
questioned for any acts done therein, they may be liable to 
be brought to trial for the same before persons who do not 
acknowledge the validity of the laws, in the execution 
whereof, or the authority of the magistrate in the support 
of whom such acts had been done: in order therefore to 
remove every such discouragement from the minds of his 
Majesty's subjects, and to induce them upon all proper oc- 
casions to exert themselves in support of the public peace of 



118 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

the Province, and of the authority of the King and Parlia- 
ment of Great Britain over the same ; Be it enacted by the 
King's most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and 
consent of the lords spiritual and temporal, and Commons, 
in this present Parliament assembled, and by authority of 
the same. That if any inquisition or indictment shall be 
found, or if any appeal shall be sued or preferi'cd against 
any person for murder or other capital offence in the Prov- 
ince of the Massachusetts Bay, and it shall appear by infor- 
mation given upon oath to the Governor, or in his absence 
to the Lieutenant-governor of the said Province, that the fact 
was committed by the person against whom such inquisition 
or indictment shall be found, or against whom such appeal 
shall be sued or preferred as aforesaid, either in the execu- 
tion of his duty as a magistrate for the suppression of riots, 
or in support of the laws of revenue, or in acting in his duty 
as an officer of revenue, or in acting under the direction and 
order of any magistrate for the suppression of riots, or 
for the carrying into effect the laws of the revenue, or in 
aiding and assisting in any of the cases aforesaid ; and if it 
shall so appear to the satisfaction of the said Governor, or 
Lieutenant-governor respectively, that an indifferent trial 
cannot be had within the said Province, in that case it shall 
and may be lawful for the Governor or Lieutenant-gov- 
ernor to direct, with the advice and cons'^nt of the Council, 
that the inquisition, indictment, or appeal shall be tried in 
some other of his Majesty's Colonies or in Great Britain; 
and for that purpose to order the person against whom 
such inquisition or indictment shall be found, or against 
whom such appeal shall be sued or preferred, as aforesaid, 
to be sent under sufficient custody to the place appointed 
for his trial, or to submit such person to bail, taking a re- 
cognizance (which the said Governor, or in his absence the 
Lieutenant-governor is hereby authorized to take) from 
such pei'son with sufficient sureties to be approved of by 
said Governor, or in his absence the Lieutenant-governor, 
in such sums of money as the said Governor, or in his ab- 
sence the Lieutenant-governor, shall deem reasonable for 
the personal appearance of such person, if the trial shall be 
appointed, to be had in any other Colony, before the Gov- 
ernor, or Lieutenant-governor, or Commander-in-chief of 
such Colony, and. if the trial shall be appointed to be had 
in Great Britain, then before his Majesty's Court of King's 
Bench, at a time to be mentioned in such recosaiizance ; and 
the Governor, or Lieutenant governor, or Commander-in- 
chief of the Colony where such trial shall be appointed to 
be had, or Court of King's Bencli where the trial is appointed 
to be had in Great Britain, upon the appearance of such per 
son, according to such recognizance or in custody, shall 
either commit such person, or admit him to bail until such 



THE BIRTn OF TEE REPUBLIC. 119 

trial : and which the said Governor or Lieutenant governor, 
or Commander-in-chief, and Court of King's Bench are 
hereby authorized and empowered to do. 

"And to prevent a failure of justice from the want of 
evidence on the trial of any such inquisition, indictment, or 
appeal, Be it further enacted, That the Governor, or in his 
absence the Lieutenant-Governor, shall, and he is hereby 
authorized and required to bind, in recognizances to his 
Majesty, all such witnesses as the prosecutor or person 
against whom such inquisition or indictment shall be found, 
or appeal, sued or preferred, shall desire to attend the trial 
of the said inquisition, indictment, or appeal, for their per- 
sonal appearance at the time and place of such trial to 
give evidence ; and the said Governor, or in his absence the 
Lieutenant-governor, shall thereupon appoint a reasonable 
sum to be allowed for the expenses of every such witness, 
and shall thereupon give to each witness a certificate in 
writing, under his hand and seal, that such witness has en- 
tered into a recognizance to give evidence, and specifying 
the sum allowed for his expenses; and the collector and 
collectors of the customs, or one of them, within the said 
Province, upon the delivery of such certificate are, and is 
hereby, authorized and required forthwith to pay to such 
witness the sum specified therein for his expenses." 

On the 30th August (1774), the Superior Court met in 
Boston. Proclamation being made and the list of grand 
jurors being called, the court appointed Ezenezer Hancock 
foreman. He refused to be sworn, and so did all the grand 
jurors. The petit jurors were then called; Bartholomew 
Kneeland was appointed foreman, when he, with all the 
petit jurors, in like manner, refused to be sworn. The 
Court inquired their reasons for this refusal; and they 
offered to read a paper, in which they had stated their rea- 
sons at length. The Court refused to have the papers of the 
classes of jurors read, and desired each juror to state his 
reasons. After some conversation on this point, the court 
consented to read the papers, and discharged the juries. 
The jurors thereupon published their reasons over their 
signatures, in the newspapers. The two papers assign simi- 
lar reasons for refusing to sweai% viz. : 

"First. Because, Peter Oliver, the Chief Justice, had been 
impeached, by the late House of Representatives, of high 
crimes and misdemeanors, and had never been acquitted, 
but was declared by the House to be disqualified to act as 
judge of that court. 

" Second. Because, by the late act of Parliament for altei*- 
ing the charter of the Province, the tenure of the judges 
had been made to depend on the pleasure of the Crown, the 
validity of which act they would never admit. 

"Third. Because three of the judges — viz., Peter Oliver, 



ISO TIIS BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

Foster Hutchinson, and William Brown, Esq'rs — 'by taking 
the oath of counsellors under the aforesaid act, are (as we 
are informed) sworn to carry into execution all the late 
grievous acts of the British Parliament, ' etc. 



CHAPTER V. 

THE REVOLUTIONARY PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS. 

Middlesex County, Massachusetts. 

The proceedings of a meeting of the committees of every 
town and district in Middlesex county, Massachusetts, 
which was held at Concord on the 30th and 31st August, 
1774, seems to have given the first intimation of the forma- 
tion of a revolutionary government for the Province, and 
gave tone at the same time to similar meetings throughout 
all the Colonies. The similar action which took place in 
quick succession in the other counties shows that the plan 
was concerted by the leading men of the Province, in Bos- 
ton, in advance "of tlais county meeting. 

The resolutions of this meeting begin by professing true 
loyalty to King George; and that "We by no means intend 
to withdraw our allegiance from him; but, while permitted 
the free exercise of our natural and charter rights, are re- 
solved to expend life and treasure in his service." 

The committee declai'e that the Parliament exercised a 
power conti'ary to the charter in passing the acts which 
claim absolute supremacy over the Pi-ovince; by the act for 
blocking up the port of Boston; by the act entitled "An Act 
for the Better Regulating the Government of the Province of 
Massachusetts Bay;" and by the "Act for the More Impar- 
tial Administration of Justice" in said Pro\ince. 

They resolve " Tliat it is the opinion of this body that the 
present act respecting tlie government of the Province of 
Massachusetts Bay is an artful, deep-laid plan of oppression 
and despotism, and that it requires great skill and wisdom 
to counteract it. This wisdom we have endeavored to col- 
lect from the united sentiments of the country; and although 
we are grieved that we are obliged to mention anything that 
may be attended with such very important consequences as 
may now ensue, yet a sense of our duty as men, as freemen, 
as Christian freemen, united in the firmest bonds, obliges us 
to resolve that every civil ofiicer now in commission in this 
Province, and acting in conformity to the late act of Parlia- 
ment, is not an officer agi'eeable to our Charter, therefore 



TitE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 121 

unconstitutional, and ought to be opposed in the manner 
hereafter recommended. 

Accordingly, the meeting resolved "That we will obey 
all such civil officers now in commission whose com.mis- 
sions were issued befere the Ist day of July, 1774, and sup- 
port them in the execution of their offices, according to the 
manner usual before the late attempt to alter the Constitu- 
tion of this Pi-ovince; nay, though the Governor should at- 
tempt to revoke their commissions ; but that if any of said 
officers shall accept a commission under the present plan of 
arbitrary government, or in any way or manner whatever 
assist the Governor or administration in the assault now 
making on our rights and liberties, we will consider them as 
having forfeited their commissions, and yield them no obe- 
dience." 

In conformity with these declarations, the meeting re- 
solve not to recognize the county judges, Samuel Danforth 
and Joseph Lee, nor to submit to their rule. 

They accoi-dingly declare that the county courts must 
cease, and that suits pending are to remain in the then pres- 
ent condition " till we know the result of a Provincial and 
Continental Congress. They pledge themselves to suppoi-t 
all officers in disregarding the precepts of the court, if one 
should attempt to sit." 

They resolve, "That it is the opinion of this body of del- 
egates" that a Provincial Congress is absolutely necessary in 
our present unhappy situation." 

" Voted, That it be recommended to the several towns and 
districts in the county, that each appoint one or more dele- 
gates to attend a Provincial meeting, to be hoiden at Con- 
cord on the second Tuesday of October next." 

The proceedings were ratified by one hundred and forty- 
six yeas to four nays. 

Suffolk Count]/. 

The Suffolk coimty meeting took place on Tuesday, the 
6th of September, 1774, at the house of Mr. Richard Wood- 
ward, of Dedham, and by adjournment at the house of Mr. 
Vose, of Milton, on Friday, the 9th of the same month. The 
preamble is expressed in a language of extreme bitterness, 
and breathes anything but a spirit of loyalty. 

It begins as follows : 

" Whereas the power, but not the justice, the vengeance, 
not the wisdom, of Great Britain, which ci old persecuted, 
scourged, and excited [exiled] our fugitive parents from 
their native shores, now pursues us, their guiltless children, 
with imrelenting severity. And whereas this then savage 
and uncultivated desert was purchased by the toil and treas- 
ure, or acquired by the blood and valor, of those our vener- 



1^2 ^ THE niRTII OF THE REPUBLtG. 

able progenitors; to us they bequeathed the dear-bought in- 
heritance; to our care and protection they consigned it; and 
the most sacred obh'gations are upon us to transmit the glo- 
rious purchase, unfettered by power, unclogged by shacldes, 
to our innocent and beloved offspring," etc. 

The first resolution, nevertheless, acknowledges George 
the Third as the rightful heir to the throne, and entitled to 
the allegiance of the colonists, " agreeable to compact." 

The Suffolk meeting, in their resolutions, enumerated the 
same acts of Parliament that the Middlesex n)eeting com- 
plained of, as the justification of their refusal to obey the 
officers of the provincial government who should acknowl- 
edge the validity of those acts. They declare, "That no 
obedience is due from this Province to either or any part of 
the acts above mentioned ; but that they be rejected as the 
attempts of a wicked administration to enslave America." 

After declaring that they will obey no officer of the 
Province who acknowledges the validity of those acts of 
Parliament, they resolve : 

" That it be recommended to the collectors of taxes, con- 
stables, and all other officers who have public money in their 
hands to retain the same, and not to make any payment 
thereof to the Provincial County Treasurer until the civil 
government of the Province is placed upon a constitutional 
foundation, or until it shall otherwise be ordered by the 
proposed Provincial Congress." 

Persons who should accept seats at the Council Board 
under the late act were denounced as "incorrigible enemies 
to this country." 

Other resolutions in the same spirit were adopted. 

County of Cumberland. 

' ' Falmouth, Sept. 22, 1774. 

" Met according to adjournment, when the committee pre- 
sented the following report, which, after being read para- 
graph by parac:i'aph, was unanimoush" accepted, viz. : 

" We think it the indispensable duty of every subject of 
the English Constitution, for our own sakes, as well as that 
of future generations, to use his utmost care and endeavor, 
according to the station ho is in, to preserve the same invio- 
late and unimpaired ; for we regard it not only as the founda- 
tion of all our civil rights and liberties, but as a system of 
government the best calculated to promote the people's peace 
and happiness. And we lament that in the present admin- 
istration tliere are men so lost to all principles of honoui*, 
equity, and justice as to attempt a violation of tlie rights 
which we have long enjoyed, and which, while we p)*ofesa 
ourselves, as we now declare we do, allegiant subjects to 
George the Third, our rightful sovereign, we have a right 



TEE BIRTH OF Tim REPUBLIC. 1^3 

still to enjoy entire and unmolested; and it is a melancholy 
consideration that the acknowledged head of this respected 
state should be induced to pass his sanction to such laws as 
tend to the subversion of tliat glorious freedom which pre- 
serves the gi-eatness of the British empire, and gives it repu- 
tation throughout all the nations of the civil world. It is 
too apparent that the British Ministry have long been hatch- 
ing monstrous acts to break our Constitution, and some they 
have at length brought forth. 

" We think the Colonies deserve a better treatment from 
his Majesty than this which he assents to. We are his loyal 
subjects, and merit his regard; and cannot help thinking 
that, if he would pursue his own unbiased judgment, and lay 
aside the selfish counsel of wicked and designing men, he 
and his subjects would be mutually happy, and provocations 
on both sides cease. But since the Ministry have borne their 
tyranny to such a length as to endeavor to execute their 
wicked designs by military force in our metropolis, we fear 
it is their aim to introduce despotic monarchy. But though 
their tyranny and oppression seem now with hasty strides 
to threaten all the Colonies with ruin and destruction, we 
hope no vengeance will affright, no wiles allure, us to give up 
our dear-bought liberty, that choicest boon of heaven, which 
our fathers came into these regions to enjoy, and which we 
therefore will retain while life enables us to struggle for its 
blessings. 

"We believe our enemies supposed we must submit and 
tamely give up all our rights. It is true a vigorous opposi- 
tion will subject us to many inconveniences; but how much 
greater will our misery be if we relinquish all we now en- 
joy and lay our future earnings at the mercy of despotic 
men? We cannot bear the thought ; distant posterity would 
have cause to curse our folly, and the rising generation 
would justly execrate our memory. 

"We therefore recommend a manly opposition to those 
cruel acts, and to every measure which despotism can in- 
vent to 'abridge our English liberties;' and we hope that 
patience will possess our souls till Providence shall dissipate 
the gloomy cloud and restore to us our former happy state. 

" The late act for regulating the government of this Prov- 
ince we consider in particular as big with mischief and de- 
struction, tending to the subversion of our charter and our 
Province laws, and, in its dire example, alarming to all the 
Colonies. This, through the conduct of some enemies 
anaong ourselves, will soon bring us into difficulties, which 
will require some able counsel to remove. We therefore 
recommend to each town in this county, to instruct their 
several representatives to resolve themselves, with the other 
members of the House at their approaching session into a 
Provincial Congress for this purj^ose." 



124 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 



Proceedings of York County Congress. 

"We, his Majesty's loyal subjects, the delegates of the 
several towns of the county of York, deputed to meet in 
county Congress held at Wells the 16th day of November, 
1774, truly professing ourselves liege subjects of his Majes- 
ty, King George the Third, and sincere friends to all our 
fello \v -subjects in Britain and the Colonies, — for the neces- 
sary defence of our Uberties and privileges, come into the 
following resolutions: 

" 1. Resolved, That his Majesty's subjects in the Province 
of Massachusetts Bay, as well as in the other English-Amer- 
ican Colonies, have full riglit and authority to tax them- 
selves and grant their own moneys by their several general 
Assemblies, for all such purposes and in such manner as 
they shall see fit; and that no other state, province, or par- 
liament whatever hath, or under the present Constitution 
of said Colonies can have, right or authority to grant the 
money of said subjects, or tax them in any other manner 
whatsoever; and therefore that the several acts of the Brit- 
ish Parliament, made for the express purpose and design, 
not only of raising a revenue to his Majesty by duties to be 
laid on goods landed in said Colonies, but establishing a 
precedent for further illegal taxation of the people therein, 
are unconstitutional, unjust, and oppressive, and never 
ought to have force in the Colonies ; and all subsequent acts 
made to enforce the same, more especially that for blocking 
up the port of Boston, are hostile, cruel, and arbitrary. 

"2. Resolved, That all civil officers within this county, 
duly appointed by virtue of and pursuant to the Charter or 
William and Mary, ought to use and exercise the several 
powers and authorities to their respective offices belonging 
agreeble to the laws of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, 
in the same way and manner, in every respect, intent, and 
pru'pose, as though the said acts had never been passed; and 
that all persons ought to aid, assist, and countenance them 
therein, and particularly that the venires for jurors for the 
several courts of justice in this county ought to be issued asi 
heretofore has been used and accustomed, agreeable to the 
laws of the Province aforesaid; and that due obedience 
ought to be had thereto ;— and that a spirit of peace, friend- 
ship, and harmony may subsist and be cultivated among 
the inhabitants of said county, the said Congress do recom- 
mend to them that they produce no suit against each other 
unless on some urgent necessity." 

The Provincial Congress met at Salem, the 7th day of 
October, 1774. 

" The Honorable John Hancock, Esq.," was chosen Presi- 
dent, and Benjamin Lincoln, Esq., Secretary. 



THE BIRTH OF TEE BEPUBLIG. 125 

Among the first pi-oceedin^s was to send a letter, through 
the Committee on the State of the Provmee, to the Governor, 
respectful and dignified in terms, but earnestly i)rotesting 
against the erection of a fortress at the entrance of Boston 
harbor, and against the })resence of troops. 

The Committee on the State of the Province proposed the 
following resolution, which was considered and adopted, 
and ordered to be pi-inted in the Boston newspapers, and at- 
tested by their secretary : 

"Resolved, That the several constables and collectors of 
taxes throughout the Province, who have or shall have any 
money in their hands collected on Province assessments, be 
advised not to pay the same, or any part thereof, to the 
Honorable Harrison Gray, Esq. ; but that such constables 
and collectors as have or shall have any county moneys in 
their hands, take and observe such orders and directions 
touching the same as shall be given them by the several 
towns and districts by whom they were chosen. And that 
the sheriffs and deputy-sheriffs of the several counties in the 
Province, who have in their hands any Province moneys, 
be also advised not to pay the same to the said Harrison 
Gray, Esq. ; but that they retain the same in their hands re- 
spectively until the further advice of a Provincial Congress 
or order from a Constitutional Assembly of this Province. 
And that the present assessors of the several towns and dis- 
tricts in the Province be advised to proceed to make assess- 
ments of the tax granted by the great and General Court of 
the Province at their last May session, and that such assess- 
ments be duly paid, by the persons assessed, to such person 
or persons as shall be ordered by the said towns and dis- 
tricts respectively. And the Congress strongly recommend 
the payment of the tax accordingly. " 

The Congress appointed Thursday, the 15th of December, 
"to be observed as a day of thanksgiving, to render thanks 
to Almighty God for all the blessings we enjoy; and, at the 
same time, we think it incumbent on this people to humble 
themselves before God, on account of their sins, for which 
he hath been pleased, in his righteous judgment, to suffer so 
great a calamity to befall us as the present controversy be- 
tween Great Britain and the Colonies; as also to implore 
the divine blessing upon us," etc 

On the 24th of October, several orders or resolutions were 
adopted with reference to arms and ammunition. 

On the 25th, the Congress adopted a preamble and resolu- 
tions which provided for the defence and safety of the 
Province. A Committee of Safety was provided for in the 
first resolution, which was charged with the duty of govern- 
ing the Province, and the citizens and the military were 
called on to obey its orders and regulations. The committee 
were authorized, " whenever they shall judge it necessary for 



126 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

the safety and defence of the inhabitants of this Province, 
and their property, against such person or persons aforesaid, 
— viz. :— such as shall at any time ' attempt or enterprise the 
destruction, invasion, detriment, or annoyance of this Prov- 
ince,' — in every such case the committee was required to 
alarm, muster, and cause to be assembled, with the utmost 
expedition, and completely armed, accoutred, and supplied 
with provisions sufficient for their support in their march 
to the place of rendezvous, such and so many of the militia 
of this Province as they shall judge necessary for the end 
aforesaid, and at such place or places as they shall judge 
proper, and then to discharge them as soon as the safety of 
the Province shall permit." 

Another committee was appointed to act as a commissary 
department. The higher officers of the militia were ap- 
pointed by the Congress ; and the several companies of the 
militia were authorized to elect company and field officers. 

On the 28th, the Congress elected Henry Gardner, Esq., 
receiver-general, who was authorized to receive and take 
care of all public moneys. The tax-collectors, constables, 
and others who held public moneys were advised to pay 
them into his hands, who was authorized to receipt for the 
same. 

Thus the Provincial Congress established a government 
for Massachusetts, independent, to all practical intents, of the 
Crown and Government of Great Britain. 

It is scarcely necessary to add that this independent con- 
trol of affairs by the people was never surrendei'ed, but that 
it gradually ripened into a regular republican civil govern- 
ment. The next step in this process, which will be detailed 
in its proper place, was to elect a House of Eepresentatives 
independent of the Crown and Parliament, by the advice 
and consent ot the Continental Congress. This was in May 
and June, 1775. This independent House proceeded to elect 
the Council, as under the Charter ; and to assume the reins 
of Government, under the style of the Territory of Maine 
and the Territory of New Plymouth. Thus was the author- 
ity of Great Britian thrown otT, and with it the Provincial 
name, which was the badge of that authority. And this 
iDold measure was taken while a British army was encamped 
on Massachusetts soil. 

November. 

The Provincial Congress reassembled, according to ad- 
journment, on the 23d November. Meantime the operation 
of the Boston Port Bill had inflicted great injury upon, and 
caused the most severe hardships to, the people of the towns 
of Bo-ton and Charlestown in particular, and the Colony in 
general. The trade of these plares with the outer world 
was annihilated, and the traffic Avith the interior nearly so; 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 127 

SO that the Congress in October had seriously debated the 
propriety or necessity of removing the entire people of the 
town to the country, in order to save them from starvation. 
But the Congress in November presented the same undaunted 
front to the enemy, as at first. It adopted various measures 
for arousing, equipping, and rallying the people to a defence 
of their riglits; and put forth a noble address "to the Free- 
holders and Other Inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay," which 
was well calculated to encourage the people and insj^ire them 
with patriotic feeling. After a few days' session, in which 
much business was transacted, they decided to dissolve, or 
adjourn sine die; at the same time calling upon the towns to 
elect other delegates to a new Congress, to meet in February, 
1775. This dissolution of their body was adopted on the 
sound republican principle, declaimed by them, that, "Inas- 
much as many states have been taught by fatal experience 
that powers delegated by the people for long periods have 
been abused to the endangering the public rights and liber- 
ties, and this Congress having just reason to suppose that 
their constituents, the good people of this Province, when 
they appointed their present delegates, were not apprehen- 
sive that the business necessary to be done would require 
their attention for any long time," therefore, as above stated, 
they resolved that "the Congress be dissolved." 

Such were the honorable, disinterested, and patriotic mo- 
tives that actuated the leading men of Massachusetts. 

February, 1775. 

The Provincial Congress met at Cambridge, Wednesday, 
Feb. 1, 1775. Their first important measure was to pass a 
resolve denouncing any one who should " presume to supply 
the troops now stationed at Boston, or elsewhere in said 
Province, with timber, boards, spars, pickets, tent-poles, 
canvas, bricks, iron, wagons, carts, carriages, intrench- 
ing-tools; or any materials for making any of the Carriages 
or implements aforesaid; with horses or oxen for draught; 
or any other materials whatever, that may enable them to 
annoy, or in any manner distress tbe inhabitants;" and that 
"he or they shall be held in the highest detestation, and 
deemed inveterate enemies to America, and ought to be 
prevented and opposed by all reasonable means whatever." 

The word "ought," in the closing sentence, coming from 
the Provincial Congress in tbe then existing state of affairs, 
with the government of the Province in their control, was 
equivalent to an imperative command. But the spirit of the 
people jumped with the recommendations of the Congress, 
and mandatory language was not necessary to the making 
laws, or to giving orders. 

A new Committee of Safety was. appointed, -with John 



128 THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIG. 

Hancock at its head, and of which Dr. Joseph "Warren was 
a member. Their power as the executive authority of the 
Province was defined, and all military oflQcers and people 
were called on, in the names of liberty, patriotism, and the 
public safety, to obey them. Their special duty was to call 
out the miUtia, whenever they might think it necessary to 
observe such persons as might attempt to carry into effect 
the obnoxious acts of Parliament. On the same day, the 
Congress adopted an address to the people, which, while it 
contains the noblest sentiments of liberty, refrains from any 
profession of loyalty to the Crown. The following are ex- 
tracts : 



Massachusetts Provincial Congress. 

' Thursday, February 9, 1775. 

" The committee appointed to prepare an address to the in- 
habitants of this Province having amended their report, the 
same was read, considered, and accepted, and ordered to be 
attested, and added to the pamphlet directed to be printed 
by this Congress, and is as folio weth, viz. : 
" To the Inhabitants cf Massachusetts Bay: 

" Friends and Fellow-sufferers: — "When a people entitled to 
that freedom which your ancestors have nobly preserved, as 
the richest inheritance of their childreE, are invaded by the 
hand of Oppression, and trampled on by the merciless feet 
of Tyranny, resistance is so far from being criminal, that it 
becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. 

"While you see the lives of your fellow-men in other na- 
tions sported with and destroyed, and their estates con- 
fiscated by their prince, only to gratify the caprice, ambition, 
or avarice of a tyrant, you ougat to entertain and cultivate 
in your mind the highest gratitude to the Supreme Being 
for his having p»laced you under such a form of government 
as, when duly administered, gives the meanest peasant the 
same security in his life and property as his sovereign has 
in his crown. 

"The constitution of government secures to each one sub- 
ject thereto such an entire property in his inheritance and 
the fruit of his industiy that they cannot be taken from 
him without his personal or representative consent; and as 
the evidence of entire property arises from the uncontrol- 
lable power of disposing, when yoiu- estates shall be brought 
into such a situation or under such a form of government as 
that they can be disposed of or granted by persons who are 
by no means accountable to you therefor, you cease to have 
anything more than a licensed and precarious property in 
them. 

"Though we deprecate a rupture with the mother-state, 



TEE BIRTH OF THE BEPXTBLIG. 129 

yet we must still urge you to every preparation for your 
necessary defence ; for unless you exhibit to your enemies 
such a fii'mness as sl^all convince them that you are worthy 
of that freedom your ancestors fled here to enjoy, you have 
nothing to expect but the vilest and most abject slavery." 

A committee was appointed to correspond with the other 
Colonies, of which Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Elbridge 
Gerry were members. 

After an adjournment of a month, the Congress met again 
on the 23d March, and, in view of the impending hostilities, 
began to prepare for them. An elaborate series of Rules and 
Articles for the Government of the Army was adopted, the 
first of which requires that "All officers and soldiers not 
havijig just impediment, shall diligently frequent divine 
service and sermon," in the places where they may be sta- 
tioned. Although strict obedience to the articles is "earn- 
estly recommended," they go so far as to inflict the death 
penalty — a clear indication of the import of a Congressional 
recommendation. 



THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 

During these proceedings of the Congress, the Committee 
of Safety was actively engaged, in its executive capacity, in 
carrying out the orders of the Congress. All kinds of war- 
like supplies were purchased or manufactured. One fourth 
of the militia, so early as the 23d Febiniary, were called out, 
and provisions collected for their sustenance. 

MASSACHUSETTS DECLARED BY PARLIAMENT TO BE IN RE- 
BELLION. 

On the 7th February, 1775, the House of Lords adopted 
the joint address fi'om the Commons to the King, in which 
Massachusetts was declared to bo in rebellion. Thanking 
his Majesty for having communicated several papers relat- 
ing to America, the address proceeds to say "We have 
taken them into our most serious consideration, and we find 
that a part of your Majesty's subjects, in the Pi-ovince of 
the Massachusetts Bay, have proceeded so far as to resist the 
authority of the supreme legislature ; that a rebellion at this 
time actually exists within the said Province ; and we see, 
with the utmost concern, that they have been countenanced 
and encouraged by unlawful combinations and engagements 
entered into by your Majesty's subjects in several of the 
other Colonies, to the injury and oppression of many of their 
innocent fellow-subjects resident within the kingdom of 
Great Britain and the rest of your Majesty's dominions. . . . 

"At the same time we consider it our indispensable duty 



130 TEE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

humbly to beseech your Majesty that vou will take the most 
effectual measui-es to enforce due obedience to the laws and 
authorities of the supremo legislature ; and we beg leave, in 
the most solemn manner, to assure your Majesty that it is 
our fixed resolution, at the hazard of our hves and proper- 
ties, to stand by your Majesty against all rebellious attempts 
in the maintenance of the just rights of your Majesty and 
tiie two Houses of Parliament." 

Tliis addi'ess was regarded by the Colonists as equivalent 
to a declaration of war. 

Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill need not be de- 
scribed in this brief history of Revolutionary " movements." 
The events enacted on the 19th Api'iland the 17th June were 
"movements upon the works of the enemy," and speak for 
themselves. 

On the 23d April, four days after the battles of Lexington 
and Concord, the Provincial Congress resolved "that 80,000 
men are neces:?ary to be forthwith raised in the New England 
Colonies," "and that of that force 13, GOO shall be established 
by this Colony without delay." 

May 16, 1775, the Provincial Congress took an important 
step for the restoration of regular civil government, inde- 
pendent of the Crown of Great Britian. They applied to the 
Continental Congress, sitting at Philadelphia, for the advice 
and consent of that body to the proceeding. This consent 
was accorded, in a resolution of June 9th, accompanied by 
the suggestion that, as no obligation rested on the people to 
obey the acts of Parliament which abrogated the Charter of 
the Colony, the people ought to elect a House of Representa- 
tives, and that the House ought to elect a Council in dis- 
regard of that law. This suggestion was at once acted on, 
and the first House of Representatives thus cor.stituted met, 
July 19th, at Watertown. On the 2ist, the House elected the 
Councillors, eighteen in number, for the territory of Massa- 
chusetts Bay; four for the territory formerly called New 
Plymouth ; three for the territory formerly called the Prov- 
ince of Maine, and one Councillor for the territory lying 
between the river Sagadahock and Nova Scotia. They "also 
elected two Councillors-at large. So the Revolutionary 
council was composed of twenty-eight member's; and the 
repudiation of the ancient loyal designations "Colony" and 
" Province " shows clearly that the House of Representa- 
tives expected and intended henceforth to remain inde- 
pendent of Great Britain— of its Parliament, at any rate, if 
not of the Crown. For it must be remembered that the word 
"territory," at that time, had not acquired the conventional 
signification in America that it now has, implying subor- 
dination to another power; or, if any such meaning was 
attached to it, the higher power referred to was the Con- 
tinental Congress, and not the Parliament of England, 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 131 

On the 1st of April, 1776, the General Court cf Massachu- 
setts resolved to alter the style of writs and other lecral pro- 
cesses, and substituted "the people and government of 
Massachusetts" for the name of the King. Also they ceased 
to date official papers according to the year of the King's 
reign, substituting in its place the year of our Lord. ' ' Early 
in May, likewise," says Bai-ry, "an order was passed and 
published, by wliich the people of the several towns in the 
Province were advised to give instructions to their respective 
repi'esentatives, to be chosen for the following political year, 
on the subject of independence." "It is not contended," 
continues Barry, " that tlus was the first instance in which 
such a proposition was publicly made; for North Cai"olina 
had, two weeks before, authorized her delegates to join with 
the other Colonies in declai'ing independence; and Rhode 
Island and Connecticut had indicated their inclination by 
dispensing with the oath of allegiance to the King, though 
a month elapsed before the Connecticut Assembly instructed 
their delegates to vote for independence."— Barry's History 
of Massachusetts, vol. 3, page 98. 

The returns from the town elections showed that nearly 
the whole population was ripe for mdependence. 

Massachusetts House of Representatives. ) 

"May 10, 1776. \ 

" Eesolved, as the opinion of this House, That the inhabi- 
tants of each town in this Colony ought, in full meeting 
warned for the purpose, to advise the person or persons who 
shall be chosen to represent him in the next General Court 
whether that, if the honorable Congress should, for the 
safety of the said Colonies, declare them independent of the 
kingdom of Great Britain, they, the said inhabitants, will 
solemnly engage, with their lives and fortunes, to support 
them in the measure. 

"Samuel Freeman, Speaker." 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

It was the fortune of New Hampshire, for the third of a 
century prior to the Revolution, to be under the rule of wise 
and conciliatory governors, who, if they were not too scru- 
pulous to enrich themselves by disreputable and illegal acts 
of extortion and peculation, knew well, nevertheless, the 
arts of popularity; and during that long period, which in 
other Colonies was a period of strife, irritation, and aliena- 
tion fi-om the mother-country, they managed to preserve a 
loyal and peaceful temper among the people of the Granite 
Colony. The first of these governors, Benning Wentworth, 
was appointed in 1741 ; and in 1766 he was permitted to re- 



132 THE BIBTn OF TUB REPUBLIG. 

sign under well-gi'ounded charges of extorting illegal and 
exorbitant fees for pacsing j)atents for lands. 

Ho was succeeded by bis nephew, John Wentworth, who 
was equally prudent and politic, and not more scrupulous 
than his uncle. A brief account of his career, taken from 
Belknap's judicious liistory of New Hampshire, w'ill serve 
the twofold purpose of accounting for the exceptionally 
pacific temper of the New Hampshire people at the begin- 
ning of the Revolutionary events in the adjacent Colony of 
Massachusetts, and throw light upon the state of morals 
which ruled among the governing classes in Great Britain 
at that time. 

Upon the accession of the nephew, the expectation that 
inquiry would be made into the practices of the uncle was 
disappointed. Things went on smoothlj' during the life 
time of the latter, who was ever treated" with respect and 
consideration ; and it was understood that the bulk of his 
estate, he having no children, would go to his nephew and 
successor in office. But at his death a later will was found, 
by which his estate was bequeathed to his young widow. 
This will produced a great commotion in the Wentworth 
family, and in the Colony. ' ' Antiquated claims upon the 
late Governor's estate," says Belknap, " were revived ; and 
law suits were commenced which probably would not have 
been agitated if the expected disi^osition had been made." 
But the most alarming effect of this unhappy disappoint- 
ment was a question which the Governor moved in Coun- 
cil, "whether the reservations of five hundred acres, in 
several townships, made by the late governor, Benning 
Wentworth, in the charter grants, conveyed the title to 
him." The Council determined tliis question in the negative. 
The Governor then asked whether they would advise him to 
grant the said tracts to such of his Majesty's subjects as 
should settle and cultivate the same. To this they gave their 
assent. Seven of the Councillors present on this occasion 
were the Governor's relations. The eighth was Peter Levins, 
a gentleman of foreign extraction, who entered his dissent. 
He had for several years served as a Justice of the Common 
Pleas ; but on the division of the Province into counties, it 
was necessary to issue new commissions. Finding him- 
self overlooked in the appointment of officers, and his private 
affairs calling him abroad, he sailed for England, and there 
exhibited, to the Lords of Trade, articles of complaint against 
the Governor and his Council. 

"The first was that the Governor and Council, without 
any legal process or the intervention of a jury, had deprived 
the grantees, under the Crown, of their lands, on suggestion 
only, that the conditions had not been fulfilled. 

"The second was that the duty paid by foreign shipping, 
commonly called powder-money, had not been accounted 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPXJBLIG. 133 

for since the year 1741 ; and that the Council had refused to 
^"oin with the Representatives in an inquiry into this matter 
m the year 1768. 

"The third was that the Governor had moved, in Council, 
that the lands reserved to the late Governor, in the charters 
of townships, should be regranted to himself through the 
medium of another person ; and that the protest of the com- 
plainant against the legality of this proceeding was rejected. 

"The fourth was that, in consequence of the opposition 
which he was in duty bound thus to make, he had been in- 
juriously treated, and had received personal abuse from the 
Governor. 

" The fifth was that, pending an action in the Common 
Pleas, brought by the Governor, though in other names, the 
judges had several times been changed, till a question on a 
point of law was determined in favor of the Governor. 

" The sixth ai'ticle stated tliat the complainant expected 
to prove several of the above facts, by referring to copies of 
the Council records in their lordships' office; but was sur- 
prised to find that the Governor had disobeyed his instruc- 
tions in not sending them. 

" The memorial concluded with a general charge of par- 
tiality arising from the family connections of the Governor 
and Council." — Belknap. 

The Governor and Council, having been furnished with 
copies of the charges, denied them severally, and gave their 
explanations of the facts involved, with depositions, " from 
persons of all ranks and professions, testifying in favor of 
the Governor." 

Belknap proceeds to relate that, "These being laid before 
the Lords of Trade, and the memorialist being heard in reply, 
the board represented to the King that the complaint against 
the Governor 'had beeii fully verified.' At the same time 
they thought it their duty to represent, that the reports 
which they had received, through diff'erent channels, of the 
situation of affairs within New Hampshire, did all concur in 
representing the Colony to have been, since Mr. Wentworth's 
appointment, in a state of peace and prosperity; that its 
commerce had been extended, and the number of its inhab- 
itants increased ; and that every attempt made to excite the 
people to disorder and disobedience had been, by the firm 
and temperate conduct of Mr. Wentworth, suppressed and 
restrained." 

The cause was reheard before a committee of the Privy 
Council, and their report on it would in these days be styled 
a " white- washing report." The main facts were admitted 
to be true; but an attempt was made to explain them away 
and to exculpate the Governor, on various pretexts and 
technicalities, from all the damaging inferences to be drawn 
from them; and, on the whole, they conclude that there 



134 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

" was no foundation for any censure upon the said Governor 
for any of the charges contained in the complaint, and that 
the general conduct of his administration had tended greatly 
to the peace and prosperity of the said Province." 

" This report," says Belknap, " was approved by the King 
in Council, and the complaint was dismissed. But the Gov- 
ernor was strictly enjoined to transmit to the Lords of Trade 
authentic copies of the journals of the Council, as a council 
of state." 

The candor and love of official integrity which this de- 
cision of the Privy Council and King display can be judged 
of in the light of the fact which follows, viz., that Mr. Levins 
was immediately appointed Chief Justice of New Hamp- 
shire, doubtless with a view of closing his mouth to further 
charges against so good a Governor. It Avas thought pru- 
dent, however, on mature consideration, to transfer the ac- 
cuser to the Province of Quebec, where a more lucrative 
office was given him. 

Belknap further states that, "When the final issue of the 
complaint was known in New Hampshire, a general satis- 
faction appeared among the people. At the next session of 
the Assembly, the House of Representatives presented to the 
Governor an address of congratulation, in the name of their 
constituents; and the citizens of Portsmouth gave a splen- 
did ball, to which the Governor and both Houses of Assem- 
bly were invited." 

These events transpired in the years 1772 and 1773. Up 
to the close of the latter year, nothing of a serious nature liad 
occurred to alienate the people from their governors. Their 
plans for enriching themselves had been carried on maiiily 
at the expense of the Crown, in appropriating the public 
lands to themselves or in charging exorbitant fees to the 
grantees of those lands. During the Stamp Act controversy, 
they had sided rather with the people than with tlie govern- 
ment, and used their influence to procure the repeal of that 
obnoxious act; but the time was now come when it was 
impossible for a royal governor to keep terms with the 
people. For some time after the passage of the new act of 
17G7, for taxing the Colonies on the articles of tea, paper, 
glass, and painters' colors, the Governor had sufficient in- 
fluence and popularity, by the aid of his numerous wealthy 
friends and connections, "who were the principal families 
and richest merchants of the Province, " to prevent the adop- 
tion of a non-importation agreement in Portsmouth; and the 
Sons of Liberty of that place wrote to their friends in 
Boston: " We cannot depend on the countenance of many 
persons of the first rank here ; for royal commissions anci 
family connections influence thf principal gentlemen among 
us, at least to keep silence in those evil times." The people 
were nevertheless in sympathy with those of Massachusetts 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 135 

and the other Colonies, and the discussion and agitation 
were kept up until the Parliament was induced to repeal the 
duties on all the articles except tea. This, however, was 
enough to keep alive the fears and resentments of the peo- 
ple; and the efforts to put the law in force caused now com- 
binations for non-intercourse, and gave rise to renewed acts 
of open resistance, especially in Massachusetts. "In New 
Hampshire," says Belknap, "the prudence of Governor 
Wentwoi'th, the" vigilance of the magistrates, and the firm- 
ness of the people were combined, and the hateful com- 
modity was sent away without any damage and with but 
little tumult." 

The following letter from the committee of Portsmouth, 
N. H., to the committee of Boston, is from the American 
Archives, vol. 1 (4th series), page 337: 

Extracts. 

" Portsmouth, IVray 19, 1774. 

" We think the late act of Parliament, to shut up the port 
of Boston of the most extraordinary nature and fatal ten- 
dency. Administration are taking every method to dis- 
unite the Colonies, thereby to render the noble opposition 
to their destructive measures abortive. We hope a firm 
union of all the Colonies will still subsist, and that such a 
plan may be devised and resolutely pursued by all as may 
prevent the cruel effects of this act. 

"We heartily sympathize with you under your present 
diflScult and alarming situation; and we will exert ourselves 
to carry any plan into effect which may be concerted by tho 
Colonies for the general relief. We sincerely wish you reso- 
lution and prosperity in the common cause, and shall ever 
view your interest as our own. And are with the highest 
esteem," etc. 

"The first cargo of tea," says Belknap, "consisting of 
twenty-seven chests, was landed and stored at the Custom- 
house (at Portsmouth, June 25, 1774) before any people 
could assemble to obstruct it. A town meeting was called, 
and a proposal was made to Mr. Parry, the consignee, to rc- 
ship it. To this he consented. A guard was appointed by 
order of the town to watch the Custom-house. Tho tea 
having been entered, it was necessary that the duty should 
be paid, which v/as done openly by the consignee. Tho 
Governor convened the Council, and kept the magistrates 
and peace officers in readiness to suppress any riotous ap- 
pearances; but there was no need of their exertion. The 
tea was peacefully reshipped and sent to Halifax. 

"A second cargo of thirty chests, which came consigned to 
the same person, raised a small ferment, and the windows 
of his lodgings were broken. He applied to the Governor 



136 THE BIRTH OF THE REPtTBLtQ. 

for protection. The Governor, as before, summoned the 
Council and magistrates. The town, by their committee, 
prevailed on the consignee lo send the tea to Halifax, after 
having paid the duty, without which the ship could not 
legally be cleared at, the Custom-house. 

"A general detestation of the measures pui'sued by the 
British Ministry, to rivet the chains on America, universal- 
ly prevailed. The towns had severally passed resolves as- 
serting their right of exemption from all taxation by Parlia- 
ment, condemning the importation and use of tea, and ap- 
pointing committees of inspection to carry their resolutions 
into effect. The committees were vigilant, and, being aided 
by the general sentiment of the people, their exertions were 
successful." 

" At the meeting of the Assembly of New Hampshire, in 
the spring (May iO, 1774), the House of Eepresentatives, 
conformably to the proceedings of the Assemblies in the 
other Colonies, appointed a Committee of Cori-espondeuce. 
The Govei'nor, who had in vain labored to prevent this 
measure, adjourned the Assembly, and after a few days dis- 
solved it, hoping by this means to dissolve the committee 
also. But they were not restricted by forms. On a sum- 
mons issued by the committee, the Representatives met 
again, in their own chamber. The Governor, attended by 
the sheriff of the county, went among them. They rose at 
his entrance. He declared their meeting illegal, and directed 
the sheriff to make open proclamation for all persons to 
disperse, and keep the King's peace. When he had i-etired, 
they resumed their seats, but, on further consideration, ad- 
journed to another house, and, after some conversation, 
wrote letters to all the towns in the Province, requesting 
them to send deputies to hold a convention at Exeter, who 
should choose delegates for a general Congress, and to pay 
their respective quotas of two hundred pounds, agreeably to 
the past proportion of the Provincial tax. They also recom- 
mended a day of fasting and prayer, to be observed by the 
several congregations on account of the gloomy appearance 
of public affairs. The day was observed with religious 
solemnity. The money was collected. Eighty-five deputies 
were chosen and met at Exeter, where thej' delegated 
Nathaniel Folsom and John Sullivan, Esquires, to attend the 

f)roposed Congress at Philadelphia in September, and de- 
ivered to them the money which had been collected, to de- 
fray their expenses. They also recommended the distressed 
state of Boston to the conmiseration of their brethren in New 
Hampshire; and contributions were raised in many of the 
towns for their relief. 

" The Governor was now convinced, and in his letters to 
the Ministry acknowledged ' that the union of the Colonies 
would not be lost in New Hampshire' At the same time, he 



THE Binra of the republic. 187 

did the people the justice to say that they had abstained 
from violence and outrage, and that the laws had their 
course. In his letters, which were published by the Ministry, 
there appears a spii-it of candor towards the people, as well 
as a desire to recommend himself to the approbation of his 
superiors." 

In December, 1774, the Committee of Safety of Portsmouth 
learning that a British ship of war would soon arrive to take 
possession of Fort William and Mary, at the entrance of the 
harbor, " with all possible secrecy and despatch, collected a 
company from that and some of the neighboring towns ; and 
before the Governor had any suspicion of their intentions, 
they proceeded to New Castle and assaulted the fort." The 
garrison, consisting of only five men, was confined, and 
one hundred barrels of powder were carried oif . The next 
day fifteen of the Ughtest cannon and all the small arras 
were removed. Major John Sullivan and Captain John 
Langdon, subsequently sent as delegates to Philadelphia, 
were the leaders of this movement. 

The following letters are taken from the first volume of 
the American Archives (4th series) : 

Governor Wentivorth to Governor Gage. 

"Portsmouth, N. H., December 14, 1774. 

" Sir: I have the honor to receive your Excellency's let- 
ter of the 9th instant, with the letter from the Secretary of 
State, which were both delivered to me on Monday evening 
last by Mr. Whiting. 

" It is with the utmost concern I am called upon, by my 
duty to the King, to communicate to your Excellency a most 
unhappy affair perpetrated here this day. 

"Yesterday afternoon Paul Revere arrived in this town, 
express from a committee in Boston to another committee 
in this town, and delivered his despatch to Mr. Samuel 
Cutts, a merchant of this town, who immediately convened 
the committee, of which he is one, as I learned, and laid it 
before them. This day, about noon, before any suspicion 
could be had of their intentions, about four hundred men 
were collected together, and immediately proceeded to his 
Majesty's Castle William and Mary, at the entrance of this 
harbor, and forcibly took po'=!session thereof, notwithstand- 
ing the best defence that could be made by Captain Cochran 
(whose conduct has been extremely laudable, as your Ex- 
cellency will see by the inclosed letter from him), and by 
violence carried off upwards of one hundred barrels of pow- 
der, belonging to the King, deposited m the Castle. I am 
informed that expresses have been circulated through the 
neighboring towns to collect a number of people to-morrow 
or as soon as possible, to carry away all the cannon and 



138 THE BUlTn OF THE REPUBLIO. 

arms belonging to the Castle, which they will undoubtedly 
effect unless some assistance should arrive from Boston in 
time to prevent it. This event too plainly proves the imbe- 
cility of this government to carry into execution his Majes- 
ty's order in council, for seizing and detaining arms and 
ammunition imported into this Province, without some strong 
ships of war in this harbor ; neither is this Province or Cus- 
tom-house treasury in any degree safe, if it should come into 
the mind of the popular leaic^rs to seize upon them. 

" The pi'incipal persons who took the lead in this enormity 
are well known. Upon the best information I can obtain, 
this mischief originates from the publishing of the Secrretary 
of State's letter, and the King's order in Council at Ehode 
Island, prohibiting the exportation of military stores from 
Great Britain, and the proceedings in that Colony in conse- 
quence of it, which have been published here by the fore- 
mentioned Mr. Revere, and the despatch brought, before 
which all was quiet and peaceable here, 

"I am, etc., 

"J. Wentworth. 
" To the Honorable Governor Gage." 

Captain Cochran, Commander of Fort William and Mary, 
in New Hampshire, to Governor Wentworth, dated Decem- 
ber 14, 1774: 

" May IT Please Your Excellency: I received your Ex- 
cellency's favor of yesterdaj', and, in obedience thereto, kept 
a strict watch all night, and added two men to my usual 
number, being all I could get. Nothing material occurred 
till this day, one o'clock, when I was informed t'lere was a 
number of people coming to take possession of the fort ; upon 
which, having only five effective men with me, I prepared 
to make the best defence I could, and pointed some guns to 
those places where I expected they would enter. About 
three o'clock the fort was besieged on all sides, by upwards 
of four hundred men. I told them, on their peril, not to en- 
ter; they replied they would; I immediately ordered three 
four-pounders to be fired on them, and then the small arms, 
and before we could be ready to fire again we were stormed 
on all quarters, and they immediately secured both me and 
my nif^n and kept us prisoners about one hour and a half, 
during which time they broke open the powder-house and 
took all the powder away except one bari-el ; and having put 
it into boats and sent it off, they released me from my con- 
finement. 

" To which I can ox\\j add that I did all in my power to 
defend the fort ; but all my efforts could not avail against so 
great a number. 

"I am your Excellency's, etc., 

' ' John Cochran. " 



TEE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 189 

Extracts of a letter from Governor Wentworth to Gov- 
ernor Gage, dated Portsmouth, New Hampshire, December 
16, 1774: 

"On Wednesday last, at 12 o'clock, an insurrection sud- 
denly took place in this town, and immediately proceeded 
to his Majesty's castle, attacked, overpowered, wounded, 
and confined the captain, and thence took away all the 
King's powder. Yesterday, luunbers more assembled, and 
last night brought off many cannon, etc., and about sixty 
muskets. This day the town is full of armed men, who 
refuse to disperse, but appear determined to complete the 
dismantling the fortress entirely. Hitherto the people ab- 
stain from private or personal injuries; how long they will 
be so prevailed on, it is impossible to say. I must sincerely 
lament the present distraction which seems to have burst 
forth by means of a letter from William Cooper to Samuel 
Cutts, delivered here on Tuesday last, p.m., by Paul Eevere. 
I have not time to add further on this melancholy subject. 

" P. S. — The populace threaten to abuse Colonel Fenton, 
because he has to them declared the folly of their conduct, 
and that he will do his duty, as a justice, in executing the 
laws. They will never prevail on him to reti'act, if all the 
men in the Province attack him. If I had two hundred such 
men, the castle and all therein would yet have been safe. At 
this moment the heavy cannon are not carried off, but how 
soon they may be, I cannot say." 

Extract of a letter from Exeter, in New Hanapshire, dated 
January 2, 1775 : 

"At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of this town, held 
here last Monday, among other things, it was voted unani- 
mously to adopt the Association of ihe Continental Congress, 
and a numerous committee was chosen to see the same, was 
duly observed, and strictly adhered to. 

"At the same meeting, five deputies were appointed to 
assist at the Convention to meet here the 25th instant, for 
the choice of delegates to represent this Province at the 
Continental Congress proposed to be held at Philadelphia 
in May next; and the said deputies were empowered to join 
with the other deputies of the Convention in choosing a 
committee of their body to proportion the sum to be allowed 
such delegates among the several towns and parishes in this 
Government. It was also voted not to suffer any hawkers, 
pedlers, or petty chapmen to sell or expose to sale among 
us any goods, wares, or merchandise, 

"It is the opinion of many that if this vote, with the law 
of the Province, should pi^ove ineffectual to prevent the in- 
trusion of such persons, an experiment ought to be made of 
tar and feathers." 

Epsom (New Hampshire) Resolves: 

"At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the town of 



140 THE BIRTH OF THE BEPJlBLlO. 

Epsom, held on Monday, January 9, 1775, deputies were 
chosen to meet at Exeter on the 25th instant, agreeable to 
the letter sent to that town for the purpose. 

"Whereas, The grand Continental Congress has recom- 
mended a nonimpurtation and non-consumption of goods 
to be the most effectual method to ease our deplorable situ- 
ation; and, as we view the Scotch merchants and ti'aders in 
general to be no friends to our country, and are altogether 
for self interest and lucrative gain, and, to accomplish their 
designs, have filled the country with hawkers, pedlers, and 
petty chapmen, with their lawns, cambrics, ribbons, etc., 
tempting women, girls, and boys with their unnecessary 
finei'ies, which is a motli to our country, and a damage to 
all honest merchants and traders that are true friends to our 
country, and that deal upon honor, and to prevent all such 
diabolical proceedings for the future: 

"Resolved, That no pedlers, hawkers, or petty chapmen 
shall be tolerated for the future to sell or dispose of any 
goods, of whatsoever name or nature, in said town, upon no 
less penalty than receiving a new suit agreeable to the mod- 
ern mode, and forfeiture of their goods. 

A committee of inspection was then chosen to see that the 
above resolve is carefully executed. 

PROVINCIAL CONVENTION. 

"At the Convention of Deputies, appointed by the several 
towns in the Pi'ovince aforesaid, held at Exeter on the 25th 
day of January, 1775, there were present one hundred and 
forty- four memljers. 

"Hon. John Went worth, Esq., president. Voted unani- 
mously, That we heartily approve of the proceedings of tlie 
late grand Continental "Congress, respecting the just state 
of the rights and hberties of the British Colonies, and of 
the means recommended to restore, secure, and protect the 
same; and that we return our most unfeigned thanks to the 
late members of that Congress in general, and to those of 
this Province in particular, for the faithful discharge of the 
important trust reposed in them. 

"Voted, That John Sullivan and John Langdon, Esqrs., 
be delegates to represent this Province in the Continental 
Congi'ess proposed to be held at Philadelphia, on the 10th day 
of May next; and that they, and each of them in the absence 
of the other, have full and ample power in behalf of this 
Province to consent and agree to all measures which said 
Congress shall deem necessary to obtain redress for Ameri- 
can grievances. 

"Voted, That two hundred and fifty pounds lawful money 
be raised for defraving the expenses of said Delegates. 

"Voted, That the Honorable John Went worth, Esq., 
Colonel Nathaniel Folsom, Honorable Mesheck Weare, Esq., 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 141 

Colonel Josiah Bartlet, Coloriel Christopher Tappaii, Ebene- 
zer Thompson, and William Whipple, Esqrs., be a committee 
in behalf of this Province, to call a Pi'ovincial Convention 
of Deputies when they shall judge the exigencies of public 
affairs require it; and that they, together with Samuel Cutts 
and John Pickering, Esqrs., be a Committee of Correspond- 
ence for this Province. 

" Voted, The following address : 

" To the Inhabitants of the Province of Neiv Hampshire — 

"Brethren: When we consider the unhappy condition 
to which you and your American brethren are reduced; 
when we reflect that for near ten months past you have 
been deprived of any share in your own Government, and 
of those advantages which flow to society from legislative 
assemblies; when we view the lowering clouds charged with 
Ministerial vengeance, fast spreading over this extensive 
continent, ready to burst on the heads of its inhabitants, 
and to involve the whole British Empire in one common ruin ; 
at this alarming juncture, duty to Almighty God, to our 
country, ourselves, and posterity loudly demands our most 
strenuous exertions to avoid the impending danger. Such 
are the measures adopted by the British Mhiistry for enslav- 
ing you. and with such incessant vigilance has their plan 
been prosecuted, that tyranny already begins to wave its 
banners in your borders, and to threaten those once happy 
regions with infamous and detestable slavery. 

"Shall we, knowing the value of freedom, and nursed in 
the arms of liberty, make a base and ignominous surrender 
of our rights, thereby consigning succeeding generations to 
a condition of wretchedness from which perhaps all human 
efforts will be insufficient to extricate them ? 

"Duty to ourselves and regard for our country should 
induce us to defend our liberties and to transmit the fair 
inheritance to our posterity unimpaired. 

" We therefore earnestly recommend, — 

"1st. That you discountenance and discourage all tres- 
passes and injuries against individuals and their property, 
and all disorders of every kind; and that you cultivate and 
maintain peace and harmony among yourselves. 

"2d. That you yield due obedience to the magistrates with- 
in this Government, and carefully endeavor to support the 
laws thereof. 

"3d. That you strictly adhere to the Association of the late 
Continental Congress, and deal with the violators of it in the 
manner therein recommended. 

"4th. That you endeavor particularly to enforce the laws 
of the Province against hawkers, pedlers, and petty chap- 
men. 

"5th. That you abstain from the use of East India tea 
whenever or by whatever means it has or may be inaported. 



142 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC 

''6th. That you encoui'oge and support your several Com- 
mittees of Correspondence and Inspection in discharging the 
very important trust you have reposed in them. 

' ' 7th. That, in case any inhabitant of these Colonies should 
be seized in order to be transported to Great Britain, or other 
parts beyond seas, to be tried for offences supposed to be 
committed in America, you conduct yourselves agreeable 
to the advice of the late Continental Congress. 

' '11th. That, as the inhabitants of the town of Boston, in the 
Pro^dnce of Massachusetts Bay, are now laboring under a 
load of Ministerial vengeance, laid upon them to enforce 
obedience to certain arbitrary and unconstitutional acts, 
which, if once submitted to, must involve all America in 
slavery and ruin ; conscioias that all these Colonies are largely 
indebted to the virtue and fortitude of those patriotic asser- 
tors of freedom, we heartily recommend a continuation of 
your contributions for the relief of that oppressed people; 
and that you keep yourselves in constant readiness to sup- 
port tliem in their just opposition whenever necessity may 
require." 

When news of the battles of Lexington and Concord 
reached New Hampshire, the people of that, as of the other. 
Colonies, took up arms and flew to the assistance of their 
brethren of Massachusetts. 

A new convention, very fully attended, assembled at Ex- 
eter early in June ; they passed votes of thanks to those who 
had seized the powder and arms at Fort William and Mary, 
and to those who had made a more recent seizure at Jerry's 
Point. The committee of Portsmouth early in July forcibly 
took the public records out of the lumds of the Secretary of 
State ; and from this time forward the King's government 
became a mei'e shadow in Nev/ Hampshire, while all real 
power was in the hands of the Provincial Congi-ess, and the 
Committee of Safety acting as an executive. 

An attempt had been made by the Governor to strengthen 
his party in the legislature by issuing writs of election to 
new and inconsiderable townships. While older and more 
populous towns were overlooked. When the Assembly met, 
the first step taken by the House was the expulsion of three 
of these members. 

The Governor then adjourned the Assembly. " One of the 
expelled members having spoken his mind fi-eely without 
doors, was assaulted by the populace, and took shelter in 
the Governor's house. The people demanded him and brought 
a gun mounted on a carriage to the door, upon which the 
offender was delivered up and conveyed to Exeter." The 
Governor retreated to the Fort, and his house was pillaged 
by the mob. The Assembly met July 11th, and received a 
message from the Governor, still resident m the I'ort, by 
which he adjourned them to the 28th September. But this 



THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIG. 143 

was the eni of royal government. The Assembly never met 
again, and the Governor soon after went on board a ship of 
war to Boston, 

In November, steps were taken to reorganize the govern- 
ment on a more permanent footing. The Convention asked 
the advice of the Continental Congress, which was given to 
the effect that a convention should be called to agree upon 
a plan of government. Their first scheme was to establish 
a single representative body ; but in the course of six months 
the Delegates became convinced "that it was improper for 
a I'epresentative assembly to consist of one house only." 
They accordingly adopted for themselves the name of a 
House of Representatives, and proceeded to elect twelve 
Councillors to constitute a distinct branch of the legislature. 
These were chosen from the several counties, in proportion 
to population. This was early in January, 1776. In future 
elections, the people were to elect Councillors, as well as 
members of the House of Representatives. A Committee of 
Safety was appointed to act as an executive. The president 
of the Council was to be president of this Committee. Upon 
the adoption of this plan of government, the convention made 
this declaration, viz. : 

" We conceive ourselves reduced to the necessity of estab- 
lishing a form of government to continue during the present 
unhappy and unnatural contest with Great Britain; protest- 
ing and declaring that we never sought to throw off our de- 
pendence on Great Britain, but felt ourselves happy under 
her protection whilst we could enjoy our constitutional 
rights and privileges; and that we shall rejoice if such a 
reconciliation between us and our parent-state can be ef- 
fected as shall be approved by the Continental Congress, in 
whose prudence and wisdom we confide." 

Thus in advance of the Declaration of Independence was 
a government, entirely free from British control, establish.ed 
in New Hampshire ; and on the 15th June. 1776, the Assembly 
of New Hampshire instructed their Delegates to the Con- 
tinental Congress to vote for independence : 

" Saturday, June 15, 1776. 

"The House met according to adjournment. 

" The draught made by the committee of both Houses, re- 
lating to independence, and voted as the sense of tliis House 
as in the preceding page, is as follows, viz. : 

"Whereas, It now appears an undoubted fact that, not- 
withstanding all the dutiful petitions and decent remon- 
strances from the American Colonies, and the utmost exer- 
tions of their best friends in England on their behalf, the 
Bi'itish Ministery, arbitrary and vindictive, are yet deter- 
mined to reduce by fire and sword our bleeding country to 
their absolute obedience ; and for this purpose, in addition to 



144 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

their own forces, have engaged great numbers of foreign 
mercenaries, who may now be on their passage here, accom- 
panied by a formidable fleet, to ravage and plunder the sea- 
coast; from all which we may expect the most dismal scenes 
of distress the ensuing year, unless we exert ourselves by 
ever means and prec.'aution possible; 

"And whereas. We of this Colony of New Hampshire have 
the example of the most respectable of our sister-Colonies 
before us, for entering upon that most important step of 
disunion from Great Britain, and declaring oiu'selvcs free 
and independent of the Crown thereof, being impelled thereto 
by the most violent and injurious ti'eatment, and it appear- 
ing most necessary in this most critical juncture of our pub- 
lic aff lirs, tbat the honorable Continental Congress who 
have this most important object under their immediate con- 
sideration, should be also mformed of t>ur resolution there- 
on without loss of time; — We do hereby declare that it is 
the opinion of our Assembly that our Delegates at the Con- 
tinental Congress should be instructed, and they are hereby 
instructed, to join with the other Colonies in declaring the 
thirteen united Colonies a free and independent state, 
solemnly pledging our faith and honor that we will on our 
parts support the measure with our lives and fortunes; and 
that in consequence thereof they, the Continental Congress, 
on whose wisdom, fidelity, and integrity we rely, may enter 
into and form such alliances as they may judge most con- 
ducive to the present safety and future advantage of these 
American Colonies, provided the regulation of our internal 
police be under the direction of our own Assembly. 

"Entered according to the original. 

"Attest: 

"Noah Emery, Clerk." 

Connecticut. 

Having already explained the character of the act of Par- 
liament of 1767, for taxing tea, it is needless to restate it in 
this place. Connecticut was one of the earliest of the Col- 
onies to enter into the non-intercourse agi'eement, by which 
the tax was rendered of no other effect than that of serving 
to alienate the affections of the Colonists from the mother- 
country. In August, 1768, a non importation agreement 
was formed between the merchants of Connecticut and those 
of New York. It was as follows: 

"We will not import, on our own account or on commis- 
sion, or purchase of any who shall import, from any other 
Colony in America, from January, 17G9, to January, 1770, 
any tea, glass, paper, or other goods commonly imported 
from Great Britain," etc. 

A public meeting was held at Glastenbury, August 27, 
1770, to appoint Delegates to a general convention to be held 



THE BIBTE OF THE REPUBLIC. 145 

September 13th at New Haven. Its object was stated to be 
to "Resolve upon such measures as are proper to be taken 
for the support of the non-importation agreement, so im- 
portant at this critical juncture to the plantations in Amer- 
ica belonging to the British Crown." Two Delegates were 
appointed, who were directed to support to the uttermost 
the non-iatercourse agreement. Complaint was made of 
bad faith on the part of the New York mei'chants. t^imiLir 
town meetings were held all over the Colony, at which the 
most determined and patriotic resolutions were adopted. It 
seems that no record of the convention of September 13tb has 
been preserved, or at least no reference is made to it by the 
historian. Much enthusiasm sprang up in favur of domestic 
manufactures. The women, no less than the men, agreed 
to "wear nothing but home-spun. ' ' Committees of inspection 
were appointed by the towns to see that no man or woman 
should infringe upon the sanctity of the non-importation 
agreement. These committees were by no means idle. The 
gentleman who wished to drink a glass of brandy or other 
imported liquor, and dame who felt that her patriotism 
needed the gentler stimulant of tea, were obliged to keep 
the tempting beverage out of sight and watch a secret mo- 
ment to nourish the cherished appetite. Woe betide the 
wretch who should be caught in the act of transgression! If 
a male, publication in the Gazette, the cry of the populace 
at his heels, and the insults of every boy who was large 
enough to shout the word ' Liberty,' was the least that he 
could expect, even should he be fortunate enough to escape 
the tenacious affinities of tar and feathers. If a woman, it 
were better for her that she should never have been born. 
No sighs were in reserve to be breathed in her ears by the 
young or the brave, though her face were fair as an angel's ; 
and those of her own sex were sure to turn from her as if 
her eye had in it an evil charm." — Hollister, vol. 2, page 149. 
The spirit of the people will be indicated b}' the following 
resolutions : 

"Farmington, Conn., May 19, 1774. 

"Early in the morning was found the following handbill, 
posted up in various parts of the town: 

"' To pass through the fire at 6 o'clock this evening in 
honor to the immortal Goddess of Liberty, the late infamous 
act of the British Parliament for further distressing the 
American Colonies; the place of execution will be the public 
parade, where all Sons of Liberty are desired to attend.' 

" Accordingly, a vei'y numerous and respectable body were 
assembled of near one thousand people, when a huge pole, 
just forty-five feet high, was erected and consecrated to the 
shrine of Liberty; after which the act of Parliament, for 
blocking up the Boston harbor, w^as read aloud, t^entenced to 
the flames, and executed by the hands of tlie common hang- 
man. Then the following resolves were passed, nem. co7i,: 



146 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

' ' ' 1st, That it is the greatest dignity, interest, and happiness 
of every American to be united with our parent state, while 
our liberties are duly secured, maintained, and supported by 
our rightful sovereign, whose person we greatly revere; 
whose government, wlule didy administered, we are ready 
with our lives and properties to support. 

" ' 2d. That the present Ministry, being instigated by the 
Devil, and led on by their wicked and corrupt heai-ts, have 
a design to take away our liberties and properties, and to 
enslave us forever. 

" ' 3d. That the late act which their malice has caused to 
be passed in Parliament, for blocking up the port of Boston, 
is unjust, illegal, and oppressive; and that we, and every 
American, are sharers in the insults offered to the town of 
Boston. 

" ' 4th. That these pimps and parasites who dared to advise 
their master to such detestable measures, be held in utter 
abhorrence by us, and every American, and their names 
loaded with the curses of all succeeding generations. 

" ' 5th. That we scorn the chains of slavery; we despise 
every attempt to rivet them upon us; we are the Sons of 
Freedom : and resolved that, till time shall be no more, that 
Godlike virtue shall blazon our hemisphere." — American 
Archives (4th series), vol. 1. 

The passage of the Boston Port Bill by the British Parlia- 
ment everywhere awakened among the people of Connecti- 
cut a lively sympathy with their Massachusetts brethren. 
At the May session of the General Assembly, energetic 
measures were taken to prepare tlie Colony for war: arms 
were collected, officers wei'e appointed, and military com- 
panies were formed. A series of resolutions were adopted, 
which assert the exclusive right of the people of the Colony 
to tax themselves, by their representatives, in their General 
Assembly; deny the right of taxation to the British Parlia- 
ment; condemn the establishment of Admiralty Courts in 
America, which take away the common-law jurisdiction, as 
unconstitutional; and declare that the acts of Parliament 
which shut up tlie port of Boston and take away the char- 
tered rights of that Colony are subversive of liberty. The 
resolutions are as follows : 

Connecticut Resolutions : 
" In the House of Representatives of the English Colony 
of Connecticut, on the second Thursday in May, 1774, this 
House, taking into their serious consideration sundry acts 
of the British Parliament, in which their power and right to 
impose duties and taxes upon liis Majesty's subjects in the 
British Colonies and Plantations in America, for the purpose 
of raising a revenue, are declared, attempted to be exer- 
cised, and in various ways enforced and carried into execu- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 147 

tion; and especially a very late act, in which pains and 
penalties are inflicted on the capital of a neighboring Prov- 
ince, — a precedent justly alarmmg to every British Colony 
in America, and which, being admitted and established, their 
lives, liberties, and properties are at the mercy of a tribunal 
where innocence may be punished upon the accusation and 
evidence of wicked men, without defence, and even without 
knowing the accuser — a precedent calculated to terrify them 
into silence and submission, whDst they are stripped of their 
invaluable rights and liberties; — do think it their duty, and 
expedient at this time, to renew their claim to the rights, 
liberties, and immunities of free-born Englishmen, which 
they are justly entitled to by the laws of nature, by the 
Royal Grant and Charter of his late Majesty King Charles 
the Second, and by long and uninterrupted possession; and 
thereupon do declare and resolve as follows, viz. : 

"1st. In the first place we do most expressly declare, 
recognize, and acknowledge his Majesty King George the 
Third to be the lawful and rightful King of Great Britain, 
and all other his dominions and countries; and that it is the 
indispensable duty of this Colony, as being part of his Ma- 
jesty's dominions, always to bear faithful and true allegiance 
to his Majesty, and them to defend, to the utmost of their 
power, against all attempts upon his person. Crown, or 
dignity. 

" 2d. That the subjects of his Majesty in this Colony ever 
have had, and of right ought to have and enjoy, all the liber- 
ties, immunities, and privileges of free and natural born sub- 
jects within any of the dominions our said King, his heirs 
and successors, as fully and amply as if they and every of 
them were born within the realm of England. That they 
have a property in their own estate, and are to be taxed by 
their own consent only, given in person or by their repre- 
sentatives, and are not to be disseized of their liberties or 
free customs, sentenced, or condemned but by lawful judg- 
ment of their peers; and that the said rights and immunities 
are recognized and confirmed by the inhabitants of the Col- 
ony, by the Royal Grant and Charter aforesaid, and are 
their undoubted right to all intents, constructions, and pur- 
poses whatsoever. 

" 3d. That the only lawful representatives of the freemen 
of this Colony are the persons they elect to serve as mem- 
bers of the General Assembly thereof. 

"•ith. That it is the just right and privilege of his Majesty's 
liege subjects of this Colony to be governed by their Gen- 
eral Assembly in the ai'ticle of taxing, and internal police, 
agreeable to the poAvers and privileges recognized and con- 
firmed in the royal Charter aforesaid, which they have 
enjoyed for more than a century past, and have neither for- 
feited nor surrendered, but the same have been constantly 
recognized by the King and Parliament of Great Britain. 



148 TUE BIBTII OF THE REPUBLIC. 

"5th. That the erecting new and unusual Courts of Admir- 
alty, and vesting them with extraordinary powers, above, 
and not subject to the control of the Coniraon-law Courts 
in this Colony, to judge and deterniine in suits relating to 
the duties and forfeitures contained in said acts foreign to 
the accustomed and established jurisdiction of the former 
Courts of Admiralty in America, is, in the oi^inion of this 
House, highly dangerous to the liberties of his Majesty's sub- 
jects in America, contrary to the great Charter of English 
liberty, and destructive of one of their most darling rights— 
that of trial by juries, which is justly esteemed one chief ex- 
cellence of the British Constitution, and a principal branch 
of English liberty. 

' ' 6th. That the apprehending and carrying persons beyond 
the sea to be tried for any crime alleged to be committed 
within this Colony, or subjecting them to be tried by com- 
missioners, or by vaiy court constituted by act of Parhament, 
or otherwise, within this Colony in a summary way, with- 
out a jury, is unconstitutional and subversive of the liber- 
ties and rights of the free subjects of this Colony. 

"7th. That any harbor or port, duly opened and consti- 
tuted, cannot be shut up and discharged but by an act of 
the legislature of the Province or Colony in which such 
harbor or port is situated, without subverting the rights 
and liberties, and destroying the property, of his Majesty's 
subjects. 

" 8th. That the late act of Parliament inflicting pains and 
penalties on the town of Boston, by blocking up their har- 
bor, is a precedent justly alarming to the British Colonies in 
America, and wholly inconsistent with and subversive of 
their constituticmal rights and liberties. 

"9th. That whenever his Majesty's service shall require 
the aid of the inhabitants of this Colony, the same fixed 
principles of loyalty, as well as self-preservation, which have 
hitherto induced us ftiHy to comply with his Majesty's requi- 
sitions, together with the deep sense we have of its being our 
indispensable duty (in the opinion of this House), will ever 
hold us under the strongest obligations, which can bo given 
or desired, most cheerfully to grant his Majesty, from time 
to time, our fui'ther proportion of men and money for the 
defence, protection, security, and other services of the Brit- 
ish-American dominions. 

" 10th. That we look on the well-being and greatest secur- 
ity of this Colony to depend (under God) on our connection 
■with Great Britain, which, it is ardently wished, maj' con- 
tinue to the latest posterity ; and that it is the humble 
opinion of this House that the Constitution of this Colony, 
being understood and practised upon as it has, ever since it 
existed (till very lately), is the surest bond of union, confi- 
dence, and mutual prosperity of our mother-country and us, 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 149 

and the best foundation on which to build the good of the 
whole, whether considered in a civil, mihtary, or mercantile 
light ; and of the truth of this opinion we are the more con- 
fident as it is not formed on speculation only, but has been 
verified in fact, and, by long experience found to produce, 
according to our extent and other circumstances, as many 
loyal, virtuous, industrious, and well-governed subjects as 
any part of his Majesty's dominions ; and as truly zealous 
of, and as warmly engaged to promote, the best good and real 
glory of the grand whole which constitutes the British Em- 
pire. 

" 11th. That it is an indispensable duty which we owe to 
our King, our countiy, ourselves and our posterity, by all 
lawful ways and means in our power, to maintain, defend, 
and preserve these our rights and liberties, and to transmit 
them entire and inviolate to the latest generations ; and that 
it is our fixed, determined, and unalterable resolution faith- 
fully to discharge this our duty. 

"At their sessions at Hartford on the second Thursday of 
May, 1774, in the fourteenth year of his Majesty's reign, 
the foregoing resolutions reported to the House by their 
Committee were unanimously voted and ordered to be 
entered on their Journal or Record." — American Archives 
(4th Series), vol. 1, p. 355. 

On the 6th June, a town meeting in Norwich, "being le- 
gally warned and convened," 

"Voted, That we will, to the utmost of our abilities, 
assert and defend the liberties and inununities of British 
America ; and that we will co-operate, with our brethren in 
this and other Colonies, in such reasonable measures as 
shall, in a General Congress, or otherwise, be judged most 
proper to relieve us from the burdens we now feel, and 
secure us from greater evils we fear will follow from the 
principles adopted by the British Parliament respecting the 
town of Boston." — American Archives (4th Series), vol. 
1st, page 390. 

"June 33, 1774, a town meeting was held at Glastonbury, 
which appointed a Committee of Correspondence in order 
' to promote and forward such contributions as shall be 
made in this town for the relief of our distressed friends in 
Boston.' The Committee, composed of Col. Eiizur Talcott, 
Mr. William Willis, Captain Elisha Hollister, Mr. Ebenezer 
Plummer, Mr. Isaac Mosely, Mr. Thomas Kimberly, and Mr, 
Josiah Hale, forwarded with the resolutions an eloquent 
address, in which they say : ' We cannot but deeply sympa- 
thize with you under the gloomy prospects which at present 
are before you on account of those oppressive acts of Parlia- 
ment which have been lately pnssed, respecting Boston in 
particular and the Province of Massachusettes Bay in gen- 
eral. Especially when we consider that our hberties and 



150 THE BIRTH OF TBB RBPUBLIG. 

privileges are so nearly and indissolubly connected with 
yours, that an encroachment upon one, at least, destroys all 
the security of the other. It seems that the Parliament of 
Gi'eat Britain are determined to reduce America to a state 
of vassalage ; and unless we all unite in the common cause, 
they will undoubtedly accomplish their design. . . . You 
may depend on us, and we believe all Connecticut, almost to 
a man, to stand by you and assist you in the defence of our 
invaluable rights and privileges, even to the sacrificing of 
our lives and fortunes, in so good a cause. . . . We are 
informed that your House of Representatives have ap- 
pointed a time for a meeting of the General Congress, in 
which we hope all the Colonies will concur, and that a non- 
importation and non-exportation agreement will be imme- 
diately come into, which, we doubt not, will procure the 
desired effect ; and notwithsfcanding the gloomy aspect of 
things at present, we cannot but look forward with fond 
hopes and pleasing expectations to that glorious era when 
America, in spite of all the efforts of her enemies to the con- 
trary, shall rise superior to all opposition, overcome oppres- 
sion' be a refuge for the oppi-essed, a nurse of liberty, a 
scourge to tyranny, and the envy of the world; — then (if you 
stand firm "and unshaken amidst the storm of ministerial 
vengeance) shall it be told, to your everlasting honor, that 
Boston stood foremost in the cause of liberty, when the 
greatest power on earth was striving to divest them of it; 
and by their noble efforts, joined with the united virtue of 
her sister- Colonies, they overcame, and thereby transmitted 
to posterity, those invaluable rights and privileges which 
their forefathers purchased with their blood.' " 

This address is as remarkable for its prophetic as for its 
bold and patriotic spirit. 

Extract from the proceedings of the town meeting in 
Windham, in Connecticut: 

"June 23, 1774. 

"We cannot close this meeting without expressing our 
utmost abhorrence and detestation of those few in a devoted 
Pro^ance styling themselves ministers and merchants, bar- 
risters and attorneys, who have, against the sense and 
opinion of this vast continent, distinguished themselves in 
their late fawning, adulating address to Governor Hutch- 
inson, the scourge of the Pro^'ince which gave him birth, 
and the pest of America. His prinr-iples and conduct evi- 
denced by his letters and those under his approbation are 
so replete with treason against his country, and with the 
meanest of solf-exaltation, as cannot bo palliated by art, nor 
distinguished by subtlety. We esteem those addresses a high- 
handed insidt on the town of Boston nnd the Province of 
Massachusetts Bay in particnlm', nnd all the Ameri^-nn Col- 
onies in general. Those styled merchants may plead their 



THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIO. 151 

profound ignorance of the Constitutional rights of English- 
men as an excuse, in some degree. But for those who style 
themselves barristers and attorneys they have either as- 
sumed a false character, or they must in some measure be 
acquainted with the Constitutional rights of Englishmen, 
and those of their own Province. For them to present such 
an address is a daring affront to common-sense, a high in- 
sult on all others of the profession, and a treason against 
law; and from that learned profession who are supposed to 
be well acquainted with the English Constitution, and have 
the best means and are under the greatest advantages to 
defend the rights of society, and who have been famed as 
the greatest supporters of Enghsh liberties, — for any of them 
to make a sacrifice of their all to this paged of vanity and 
fulsome adulation, is mean, vile, and unpardonable, and 
cannot be accounted for upon any other principles but those 
of their master, who would sacrifice his country to be the 
independent head of a respectable Province, and the few 
leaders of this infamous law band would, it seems, give 
their aid and support therein to obtain the first places in this 
new kingdom. The addressing clergy we leave to the re- 
proaches of their own consciences, but lament to find they 
are the first in their ignominious homage to their idol." 

In September of this year, 1774, a Dr. Beebe was "tarred 
and feathered " at East Hampton, on the charge of being a 
Tory. He could not obtain a w' arrant of arrest against the 
perpetrators of the outrage, from a magistrate, the latter 
excusing himself on the ground that it could not be ex- 
ecuted. 

On the 15th September, 1774, a delegate meeting was held 
at Hartford, representing the counties of Hartford, New 
London, and Windham, and a part of the county of Litch- 
field. A pledge was given that they would strictly observe 
a non-importation agreement about to be entered into by 
the Continental Congress; and denouncing in advance all 
who should attempt to disregard it. 

The following is the report of the proceedings: 

"At a meeting of delegates from the towns ir the coun- 
ties of Hartfoi'd, New London, and Windham, and a part of 
the county of Litchfield, held at Hartford, in Coimecticut, 
on the 15th of September, 1774. 

"William Wolcott, Esq., ehnirman. 

"Captain Samuel Wyllys, Clerk. 

"This meeting, taking into their serious consideration the 
absolute necessity of a non-consumption agreement, as shall 
be recornmended by tne general Congress of Delegates, from 
all the free British Colonies in America, now convened at 
Philadelphia, and also that their opinion and resolution 
thereon hath not been yet fully made known to the dele- 
gates from this Colony, in said Congress, Do declare and 
resolve, 



152 THF! BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

"That, in case the said general Congress shall recommend 
a non-import;ition of British goods only, or of British and 
West India goods, we will outer into a solemn contract and 
agreement not to purchase or consume any articles that 
shall be probibited by such non-importation agreement, and 
use our utmost endeavors to render the same general and 
effectual; and we do hereby make known that we have in 
general been assured by tlio towns we represent that they 
will readily accede to ado]:)t and religiously observe such 
non-consumption agi'ccment as aforesaid. 

"And whereas, This meeting is mformed that great quan- 
tities of English and India goods are ordered by sundry 
sordid and avaricious men in our neighboring Colonies to 
be purchased in England and imported this fall to give them 
an unreasonable advantage and prevent the salutary effects 
of a non-importatio7i agreement, 

"Resolved, That such mercenary wretches whose avarice 
can seek for gratification in the distress and ruin of their 
country are wdiolly unworthy of our confidence, friendship, 
or support; and that our non-consumption agreement may 
be useful to any good purpose, we will not purchase any 
merchandise of them, or transact any business for them, or 
suffer thein to transact any for us. but will wholly withdraw 
from them, and leave them to the consolation of possessing 
and contemplating the curious movements of British indus- 
try and American slavery, which they would so greedily 
amass to themselves for such Sji'did and wicked purposes; 
and shall consider in the same light, and ti"eat in the same 
manner, every person that shall purchase wn.j such goods of 
them, or do busmess for them, or employ them in their 
business. 

' ' Resolved, That the Committee of Correspondence for 
the several towns were present bo desired to make dihgent 
inquiry after the persons who have ordered goods as afore- 
said, and inform the next county and Colony meeting of 
what they shaU discover, that their names may be published, 
their conduct exposed, and their persons avoided. 

"Resolved, That if any merchant or trader in the towns 
aforesaid shall attempt to engross any great or imusual 
quantity of goods, with design to forestall and elude a non- 
importation agreement, we will find ways and means, \vith- 
out violating his private rights, to defeat his views and make 
him sensible that virtue and public spirit will be more for 
his interest than low selfishness and avarice Can be. These 
measures, dictated by necessity, we enter upon for the pres- 
ervation of our Ubertied, which we have received from our 
Creator; and may not resign or suffer to be ravished from 
us. At the same time it is tlie warmest wash of our hearts 
that the wisdom and equity of the British Parliament may 
relieve us from our fears and danger, and that we may once 



THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLtC. 153 

more and forever look up to our parent country with con- 
fidence and pleasure, and, secure of our own rights, con- 
tribute all in our power to promote the honor, interest, and 
happiness of our elder brethi^en in Great Britain ; and, 

"Whereas, We cannot yet be advised what measures the 
general Congress will recommend, and therefoi-e are unable 
at present to adjust the particulars of a non-consumption 
agreement, we think it may be of use to the mei'chants and 
traders in the aforesaid towns to be made acquainted with 
our resolutions aforesaid, and that we determii:ie in proi:)er 
time to carry them into execution, 

"Eesolved, That the thanks of the meeting be given the 
Committee of Correspondence for the town of Hartford, for 
their care and attention to the interest of the public in call- 
ing this meeting ; and that they be desired to call a Colony 
meeting at a suitable time and place to finish the business 
now begun and entered upon, taking the advice of the Com- 
mittee of Correspondence for the towns of Windsor, Weth- 
ersfield, and Middletown therein. 

' ' The foregoing resolutions voted and passed, nemine con- 
tradicente. 

"Samuel Wyllys, 

" Clerh of the Meeting.''' 

On the 4th September, a false report, which was spread 
over Connecticut, to the effect that the British troops had 
attacked the people of Boston and killed several citizens, 
served to bring out the determined spirit of the people of 
Connecticut. Before the rumor could be contradicted, 
many thousand men were under arms, and were marching 
or ready to march to the defence of that town. 

Stamford {Connecticid) Toicn Meeting. 

" At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Stamford, 
legally warned and convened, on the 7th day of October, 
1774: 

"The inhabitants of this town, sensibly affected with the 
distresses to which the town of Boston and Province of 
Massachusetts Bay are subjected by several late unconstitu- 
tional acts of the British Parliament, and also viewing the 
Quebec Bill, whereby tlie Roman Catholic religion is estab- 
lished over a gi'eat part of his Majesty's extensive continent 
of America, as an attempt not barely to destroy our civil 
liberties, but as an open declaration that our religious priv- 
ileges, which our fathers fled their native coiuitry to enjoy, 
are very soon to be abolished (hoping to convince the people 
of this extensive continent that, notwithstanding our long 
silence, we are by no means unwilling to join with our sister- 
towns to assert our just rights and oppose every design of a 
corrupt Ministry to enslave America), do declare that we ac- 
knowledge our subjection to the Crown of Great Britain, and 



154 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC!. 

all the constitutional powers thereto belongin/?, as estab- 
lished, in the illustrious house of Hanover, and that it is oiir 
earnest desire that the same peaceable connection should 
subsist between us and the mother-country that has sub- 
sisted for a long time before the late unconstitutional meas- 
ures adopted by the Parliament of Great Britian ; and Ave 
hope that some plan will be found out by the General Con- 
gress to effect the reconciliation we wish for; yet we are 
determined in every lawful way to join with our sister-Colo- 
nies resolutely to defend our just rights and oppose all illegal 
and unconstitutional acts of the British Parliament that re- 
spect America. 

"That we are pleased that a Congress of Deputies from the 
Colonics is now met at Pliiladelphia, and, relying upon the 
wisdom of that body, we declare that we are ready to adopt 
such reasonable measures as shall by them be judged for the 
general good of the inhabitants cf America. 

"Voted, That I\Icssrs. John Lloyd and Samuel Hutton, 
Captain Samuel Young, Captain David Hait, and Charles 
Weed, be a committee to receive subscriptions for the 
supply of the poor in the town of Boston who suffer in con- 
sequence of an act of Parliament called the Port Act ; and 
that the said committee cause anything that shall be col- 
lected to be transported to the care of the Committee of 
Ways and Means in the town of Boston, to be employed by 
them as they shall think fit. The above is a true copy of 
record, it being a very full meeting— almost an unanimous 
vote. S. Jarvis, 

" Town Clerk.'' 

Danhury {Connecticut) Town Meeting. 

" At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the town of 
Danhury in Connecticut, December 13, ITM, 

"Captain Thomas Stevens, Moderator, 

"The town took into consideration the present alarming 
situation of the American Colonies from several late uncon- 
stitutional and oppressive acts of the Bi-itish Parliament, 
and feeling deeply impressed witli a sense of our common 
danger, we should have earlier manifested our sense of the 
natural and constitutional I'ights we are or ought to be 
possessed of, and of the wanton infringement made upon 
them by the oppre^^sive plan of policy now prosecuting by 
the British Ministry, were it not that we thought there was 
the greatest propriety in waiting till they were stated by a 
general Congress lest, by every town's attempting particu- 
larly to state them, there might be a disagreement in their 
claims, which might occasion disunion among ourselves and 
give cause of triumph to our enemies. But our rights and 
the infringements of them having been particularly stated 
by the late American Congress, in their resolutions, or Bill 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 155 

of Rights, which, from the best knowledge and information 
we are able to obtain, we apprehend to be accurately and 
judiciusly done r, — wo do therefore, — 

"(1) Declare our full concurrence with said resokitions, as 
trully stating the rights and privileges we mean to defend, 
and the oppressive infringements we mean to oppose, to the 
extent of those abilities which God and Nature have fur- 
nished us with. 

"(2) We do heartily approve of the Association containing 
a non-importation, non -exportation, and non-consumption 
agreement, entered into by the General Congi-ess as the 
most salutary, wise, and probable measui-e for obtaining 
redress of the grievances we labor under; and will use our 
utmost endeavors to i-ender the same effectual by a full 
compliance thei'ewith ourselves, and by treating with de- 
served neglect any one wdio shall dare, in opposition to the 
voice of America, by counteracting this agreement, to seek 
his own emolument to the endangering the liberties of his 
country. And, that such as break through this agreement 
and refuse to be reclaimed by gentler means, may be held 
up to public view as objects to be shunned and avoided by 
every friend to liberty and lover of his country, we have 
appointed the following gentlemen a committee for the pur- 
pose specified in the eleventh article of said Association, viz. : 
Doctor John Wood, Thaddeus Benedict, and Daniel Taylor, 
Esqrs., Lieutenant Noble Benedict, Colonel Joseph Piatt 
Cook, Captain Silas Hamilton, Samuel Taylor, Esq.'^ Messi"S. 
Andrew Comstock, James Sisly, Daniel Benedict, and Rich- 
ard Shute, Captain Thomas Stevens, and Mr. Joseph Bebeo. 

"(4) It is with singular pleasure we notice the second 
article of the Association, in which it is agreed to import no 
more negro slaves, as we cannot but think it a palpable 
absurdity so loudly to complain of attempts to enslave us, 
while we are actually enslaving others; and that we have 
great reason to apprehend the enslaving the Africans is one 
of the crying sins of our land, for which Heaven is now chas- 
tising us. We notice also with pleasure the late act of our 
General Assembly imposing a fine of one hundred pounds 
on any one who shall import a negro slai-e into this Colony. 
We could also wish that something further might be done 
for the relief of such as are now in a state of slavery in the 
Colonies, and such as may hereafter be born of parents in 
that unhappy condition. 

"(5) As we look upon the town of Boston to be suffering in 
the common cause of American liberty, we would manifest 
our hearty sympathy with them in their present calamitous 
state, and readiness to administer, to the relief of their suffei'- 
ing poor, according to our abilities; and do accordingly 
recommend to the several inhabitants of this town to con- 
tribute liberally of money or provisions. For this purpose 



156 THE BIRTH OF THE RKPUBLIO. 

we have apiwintod CaptniTi Daniel Storr, Messrs. John 
McLean, Zadoek Benedict, and Andrew Conistock a com- 
mittee to receive sucli donations and transmit the same to 
the committee appointed to receive them in the town of 
Boston. Oiu* heing so late in contributing to their relief 
hatli not arisen from our liaving been unconcerned specta- 
tors of their distressed condition; but hearing of the lauda- 
ble zeal of others, we were ready to conclude there was a 
sufficient present supply, and that our donations would be 
more needed and more acceptable in some future time. 
"Voted by a large majority. 

"Major Taylor, 

'' Toimi Clerk:' 

FAIRFIELD (CONNECTICUT) COMMITTEE. 

" At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Fair- 
field, Connecticut, held by adjournment on the 29th day of 
December, a.d. 1774, 

" Ebenezer Silliman, Esq., Moderator, 

" This meeting having duly considered the agreement and 
association entered into by the Continental Congress lately 
held at Philatielphia, do heartily appi'ove thereof and adopt 
the same, and take this opportunity to express their most 
grateful sense of the good services of the vvorthy delegates 
from this Colony who attended said Congress. 

''Voted, That if any person or persons shall directly or 
indirectly, with intent to dissuade, disunite, or otherwise 
pi*event us from strictly comjilying with and confoi'ming to 
said agreement and association, publish., send, or sell, or 
otherwise dispose of any books, pamphlets, or publications 
in this town directly tending thereto, such person or persons 
shall be dealt with and exposed in the same way and man- 
ner as is preseribsd in said eleventh article for such person 
or persons as violate said agreement and association." 

Mr. Hollister, the historian, whose narrative has been 
followed, states that the battle of Lexington, "gi-owingout 
of an attempt to seize military stores, led to a movement, 
originating in Connecticut, and paid for out of the treasury 
of tliat Colony, that resulted in the capture of Ticonderoga, 
and in the seizure of all its guns and munitions for the use 
of the Colonies. The general Assembly was in session when 
the news of the battle of Lexington reached Hartford, and 
the plan was entered into of surprising Ticonderoga, without 
any ostensible action of the Assembly, but with their tacit 
assent. 

"Several gentlemen borrowed money, to pay the expenses 
of the expedition, from tlie Colonial treasury, and gave their 
individual obligations with security." 

The names of the signers to the notes were Samuel Holdeu 



THE BIRTH OF THE EEPUBLIC. 157 

Parsons. Rilas Deane. Samuel Wyllis, Samuel Bishop, Jr., 
William Williams, Thomas Munforcl, Adam. Babcock, Josliua 
Porter, Jesse Hoot, Ezekiel Williams, and Charles Wells. 
The amount borrowed was 810 pounds; and two years after- 
wards, the notes were cancelled by order of the Assembly. 

''A Committee was appointed by the leaders of this dar- 
ing project," continues Hollister, "to complete all the ar- 
rangements. This Committee selected sixteen Connecticut 
men, and then proceeded to Berkshire, where they elicited 
the sympathy and co operation of some of the principal gf-n- 
tlemeu of the place, and a re-enforcement of about forty 
men. They then advanced to Bennington, where they were 
joined by Colonel Ethan Allen, Seth Waraer, and about one 
hundred volunteers. After stopping there long enough to 
bake bread and provide themselves with such other neces- 
saries as they needed, this httle company of one hundred 
and fifty picked men followed Colonel Allen to Castleton, 
whither he had preceded them with a view of raising more 
troops." 

At Castleton they met Colonel Allen with reinforcements, 
and "Their numbers now amounted to two hundred and 
seventy men, most of them Green Mountain boys, who, born 
in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, and 
inured to the rough warfare of border life, in contending 
with the executive officers, and defying the authority of the 
Provincial legislature of New York, had become wild and 
free in all their actions and opinions as the green ridges 
whence they took their name. Sentries were now posted 
on all the roads leading to Ticonderoga, to prevent the news 
of the enterprise being carried to the garrison by the Tor- 
ies." 

At this point the party was joined by Benedict Arnold, 
who had been commissioned as a colonel by the Massachu- 
setts authorities; but as he brought no troops with him, 
Allen very properly refused to give way to him, but agreed 
to accept him as an aid. The fort, which was garrisoned by 
about fifty men and officers, was surprised by Allen, and 
surrendered at discretion almost without bloodshed. This 
event happened May 10, 1775. Crown Point, garrisoned 
by only a sergeant and twelve men, surrendered on the 
same day to Captain Warner. 

A British sloop of war lay at the head of the lake, Cham- 
plain. A plan was formed for its capture. A small schooner 
was armed and fitted out, of which Arnold was put in com- 
mand. Allen commanded some batteaux which were to 
accompany the schooner and aid in the attack. But Arnold 
sailed far ahead and without difficulty, surprised and cap- 
tured the sloop, though larger and better armed than the 
assailant. So the whole expedition v/as a success, and in- 
fused great enthusiasm throughout the Colonies. The arms 



158 THE BIRTH OF THE REPVBLIG. 

and amraunition captured made a very considerable addi- 
tion to the meagre equipments of the Americans HolHster 
concludes his account of these events as follows: " It was, 
as we have seen, from the beginning a Connecticut measure, 
conceived by gentlemen from that Colony, approved by her 
general Assembly, carried out by officers who were born in 
her towns of Litchfield, Woodbury, and Norwich, and paid 
for, as our State papers still show, from her treasury. Thus 
Connecticut had the honor, of which neither envy nor false- 
hood have been quite able to rob her, of striking the first 
aggressive blow at the British power in America." But Con- 
necticut will generously concede to the people who inhabit- 
ed the disputed teri'itory which aftewards became the State 
of Vermont a large share in the glory of this achievement. 

Connecticut had the honor, among all the Colonies, of 
having the only patriot Governor at the commencement oi 
hostilities. This was Jonatlian Trumbull. Like Rhode 
Island, she had alwaj^s enjoyed the right, under her charter, 
of electing her Governors, which fact accoinits for the singu- 
lar distinction. When news arrived of the battle of Lexing- 
ton, he immediately "despatched a messenger to Colonel 
Putnam, directing hnii to repair forthwith to Lebanon." 
Like Cincinnatus. the Connecticut hero, Avhen called to the 
defence of his country, was found at the plow-handles; and 
left the plow in the unfinished furrow, and, after giving 
som.e hasty directions to his servants, hurried home, 
mounted his horse, and rode off at a full gallop. He found 
the " rebel Governor" ready to receive him. The interview 
was brief. "Hasten forward to Concord," said his Excel- 
lency; "don't stay for troops. I will take care of that — 
hurry forward, and I will send the troops after you." 
These initial facts are sufficient to indicate the spirit which 
animated the leading men of Connecticut, without following 
up the brilliant history of their actions. 

On the 11th June, 177G, Governor Trumbull convoked 
"the general Assembly of the Governor and Company of 
the English Colony of Connecticut, in New England, in 
America." On the same day the following preamble and 
resolution was adopted. 

" Instructions to Connecticut Delegates in the Continental 
Congress, to vote for independence. 

Connecticut Assembly, \ 
June 1-t, 1776. \ 

"Whereas, the King and Parliament of Great Britain, by 
many acts of said Parliament, have claimed and attempted 
to exercise powers incompatible with and subversive ot the 
ancient, just, and constitutional rights of this and the other 
English Colonies in America, and have refused to listen to 
their many and frequent humble, decent, and dutiful peti- 
tions for redress of grievances and restoration of such their 



THE BIBTU OF THE REPUBLIC. 159 

rights and liberties; and, turninp: from them with neglect 
and contempt to support such claims, after a series of accu- 
mulated wrong and injury, have proceeded to invade said 
Colonies with fleets and armies to destroy onr towns, shed 
the blood of our countrymen, and involve us in the calam- 
ities incident to war; and are endeavoring to reduce us to 
an abject sm-render of our natural and stipulated rights, and 
subject our property to the most precarious dependence on 
their arbitrary will and pleasure, and our persons to slavery ; 
and have at length declared us out of the King's protection; 
have engaged foreign mercenaries against us, and are evi- 
dently.and strenuously striving to effect our ruin and de 
struction; — these and many other transactions, too well 
known to need enumeration, the painful experience of which 
we have suffered and feel, make it evident, beyond the pos- 
sibility of a doubt, that we have nothing to hope from the 
justice, humanity, or temperate councils of the British 
King or his Parliament; and that all hopes of reconciliation 
upon just and equal terms are illusory and vain. In this 
state of extreme danger, when no alternatitive is left us but 
absolute and indefinite submission to such claims as must 
terminate in the extreme of misery and wretchedness, or 
a total separation from the King of Great Britain, and 
renunciation of all connection with that nation, and a suc- 
cessful resistance to that force which is intended to effect 
our destruction ; appealing to that God who knows the se- 
crets of all hearts, for the sincerity of former declarations of 
our desire to preserve our ancient and constitutional rela- 
tion to that country, and protesting solemnly against their 
oppression and injustice which have drawn us from them, 
and compelled us to use such lueans as God in his provi- 
dence hath put in our power for our necessary defence and 
preservation, — 

"Resolved unanimously by this Assembly, that the Dele- 
gates of this Colony, i\\ General Congress, be and they are 
hereby instructed to propose to that respectable body to de- 
clare the United Colonies free and independent States, ab- 
solved from all allegiance to the King of Great Britain, and 
to give the assent of this Colony to such Declaration when 
they shall judge it expedient and best, and to wdiatever meas- 
ures may be thought proper and necessary by the Congress 
for forming foreign alliances, or any plan of operations for 
necessary and mutual defence ; and also that they move and 
I)romoto, as fast as may be convenient, r. regular and perma- 
nent plan of Union and Confederation c 1 the Colonics for the 
security and preservation of their just rights and liberties, 
and for mutual defence and security: caving that the admin- 
istration of government, and the power of forming govern- 
ments for, and the regulation of, the internal concerns and 
police of each Colony ought to be left and remain to the re- 



160 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

spective Colonial legislatures, and also that such plan of 
confederation be laid before such respective legislatures for 
their previous considerations and assent." 

RHODE ISLAND, 

The enactment of the duty on tea in May, 1767, by Parlia- 
ment was the signal for the renewal of angiy controversy 
between the Colonies and the mother-country. There had 
existed an export duty on this article, of one shilling per 
pound, which was in reality as great an infringement of the 
rights of the Colonies as the mo7-e direct duty which was 
substituted in its place. Great Britain might lawfully de- 
clare that no tea should be re-exported from her shores to 
foreign nations without paying a tax; but to require it on 
teas sent to her Colonies, which Colonies at the same time 
were not allowed to buy in other than English markets, was 
as arbitrary and as unjust as the direct tax which the Act 
of 17G7 required to be collected in the Colonial ports. The 
new act was really an abatement of the amount of the tax, 
as ib only imposed threepence per pound. But it was a di- 
rect and offensive mode of asserting the right of the Parlia- 
ment to tax the Colonies " in all cases whatsoever "—a decla- 
ration which accompanied the repeal of the Stamp Act. The 
roundabout mode of collecting twelvepence in England on 
the export of tea, although four times heavier than the im- 
port duty of threepence, to be collected in the Colonial ports, 
by men sent from England, was felt to be a more intolerable 
burthen. And whereas the greater tax thus imposed might 
have been borne for an indefinite length of time without se- 
rious complaint, the lesser became the signal for resistance 
from one end of the Continent to the other, and, more than 
any other one measure of gov^ernment, caused the triumph- 
ant Revolution and the loss of "the brightest jewel in the 
British Crown. " The American Revolution was achieved on 
a principle, as w^ell as on account of the practical and serious 
injuries that wore inflicted on the Colonists. 

The publication of the new Revenue Act. in October, 1767, 
in the Colonies, was immediately followed by public meet- 
ings, first in Boston, and then in Providence and Newport, in 
which "it was resolved to discontinue the use of British 
goods and the consumption of all unnecessary articles." 
"Thus the combination spread rapidly throughout the Colo- 
nies, and the agreements were everywhere signed." The 
Assembly reasserted the exclusive right of the Colonies to 
tax themselves, and enacted "that special courts and Co?n- 
mon Pleas might be held for the Custom-house officers 
charged with violations of the foe list established by the 
Colony, or with neglect of duty ; the decision of such courts 
to be final," 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 161 

In July, 1769, "the British armed sloop Liberty, Captain 
Wni. Reid, cruising in Long Island Sound and Narragansett 
Bay, in search of contraband traders, had needlessly annoyed 
all the coasting craft that came in her way. Two Connecti- 
cut vessels, a brig and a sloop, were brought into Newport 
on suspicion of smuggling. An altercation ensued between 
the captain of the brig and some of the Liberty's crew, in 
which the former was maltreated and his boat fired upon 
from the vessel. The same evening the people obliged Reid, 
while on the wharf, to order ail his men, except the first of- 
ficer, to come on shore to answer for their conduct. A party 
then boarded the Liberty, sent the officer on shore, cut the 
cable, and grounded the sloop at the Point. Thei-e they cut 
away the mast and scuttled the vessel, and then carried her 
boats to the upper end of the town and burnt them. This 
was the first overt act of violence offered to the British au- 
thorities in America. Meanwhile the two prizes got under 
way and escaped. Governor Wanton, at the request of the 
collector and comptroller, issued a proclamation for the ar- 
rest of the offenders, and the Revenue Board at Boston of- 
fered a reward of one hvmdred pounds sterling to any one 
who would inform against them ; but without effect." — See 
Arnold, vol. 2, p. 207. 

In 1772, another collision between the British Revenue 
Marine and the people, similar to the affair of the Liberty, 
but on a greater scale, occurred. In the spring of that year 
the people were greatly annoyed by tlie British schooner 
Gaspee, of eight guns, which with the Beaver had been sta- 
tioned in Nari-agansett Bay to enforce the revenue laws. 
"Lieutenant Duddingston, the commander, had practised 
every annoyance iipon vessels in the Bay, detaining them 
often without a colorable pretext, stopping even market 
boats, and in some cases plundering the people on shore. 
He had violated the Charter of the Colony in acting without 
showing his commission, and had exceeded his authority by 
making illegal seizures and sending captured property to 
Boston for trial, contrary to an act of Parliament that re- 
quired such trials to be held in the Colony where the seizure 
was made." Chief Justice Hopkins gave the opinion " that 
no commander of any vessel has a right to use any authority 
in the body of the Colony without previously applying to 
the Governor and showing his warrant for so doing, and also 
being sworn to a due exercise of his office." The Governor 
accordingly sent the sheriff on board the schooner, " with a 
letter to the commanding officer, requiring him to produce 
his commission and instructions." Duddington returned an 
arrogant reply, and inclosed the cori'espondence to Admiral 
Montagu, at Boston. The Admiral sustained the Lieutenant, 
and addressed an insolent letter to Governor Wanton, in 
which he threatened, if an attempt were made to rescue the 



162 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

prizes, that he would "hang as pirates" the parties con- 
cerned. The Govenior replied, with spirit, " that I do not 
receive instructions for the administration of my govern- 
ment from the King's Admiral stationed in America; " and 
having laid the correspondence before the Assembly, that 
body sent copies of it to England, with a narrative of the 
events to which it related. 

At length "The sloop Hannah, Captain Benjamin Lindsey, 
from New York, arrived at Newport, reported at the Custom- 
house, and the next day proceeded up the river. The Gas- 
pee, as usual, gave chase, but ran aground on Namquit, since 
called Gaspoe Point, below Pawtuxet. and the Hannah es- 
caped, arriving safely at Providence about sunset. The sit- 
uation of the enemy was soon proclaimed by beat of drum, 
calling those who desired to go and destroy the vessel to 
meet that evening at the house Ol James Sabin. Eight long 
boats, with five oars each, were provided by Mr. John Brown, 
and soon after ten o'clock the party embarked at the wharf 
directly opposite the house and proceeded with muffled oars, 
but undisguised, upon their daring enterprise. Captain 
Abraham Whipple, afterwards Commodore, who three years 
later fired, in Narragansett Bay, the first American broadside 
ever discharged at any portion of his Majesty's Navy, com- 
manced the expedition. It was long past midnight when 
the party approached the vessel, where they were joined by 
anotlier boat from Bristol. Twice the hail of the sentinel 
was disregarded, when Duddingston himself leaping on tlie 
gunwale, hailed but received no answer. A. second time he 
hailed, and was answered, in terms energetic and profane, by 
Whipple, who at the same time ordered his men to spring 
to their oars. Shots were then fired from the vessel and 
returned by the boats. While Whipple was replying, a mus- 
ket ball, fired by Joseph Bueklin, wounded the lieutenant in 
the groin, and, as he fell, the attacking party boarded the 
schooner at the bow, and, after a brief struggle, drove the 
crew below and became masters of the deck. The men sur- 
rendered, Avere bound, and put on shore. Duddingston was 
severely wounded in the arm and body. He was attended 
by Dr. John Mawne\\ then a student of medicine, who ac- 
companied the expedition as surgeon. This was the first 
British blood shed in the war of independence. 

" It was near daylight when the lieutenant's wounds, 
being dressed, he was landed at Pawtuxet, and the captives, 
having set fire to the vessel, returned to Providence. In the 
flames of the burning Gaspee, were consumed that night the 
last hope or wish of pardon." — Arnold, pp. 312, 313. 

Efforts were made, by the oflFer of large rewords aniount- 
ing to several hundred pounds, to discover and pimish the 
ringleaders in this bold enterprise, which the Rhode Island- 
ers compare with the Boston tea party. But although the 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 163 

parties were well known as among the most respectable 
citizens of the Colony, no direct testimony against them 
could be obtained, except that of a mulatto slave named 
Aaron Briggs, "who was engaged in the expedition, and 
afterwards escaped from his master and went on board the 
Beaver." He came near exposing the whole party, "most 
of whom were among the leading men in Pi'ovidence, and 
some from Bristol." But it was shown to the Court of In- 
quiry that his testimony was given under compulsion, to 
Captain Linzee, of the Beaver, and was therefore thrown out. 
So the parties engaged all escaped even a trial, although 
some of the younger among them had boasted of their 
achievements. 

In January, 1773, Governor Wanton exhibited to the 
court his instructions to arrest the parties engaged in the 
destrviction of the Gaspee, and send them to England for 
trial. The people of Ehode Island determined to resist its 
enforcement. Chief Justice Hopkins consulted the Assem- 
bly as to the coiu'se he should pursue, and was advised to 
use his own discretion when the case arose. * ' ' Then, for the 
purpose of transportation for trial, I will neither appre- 
hend any person by my own order nor suffer any execu- 
tive oificers in the Colony to do it,' was the prompt reply," 
says Arnold, ' ' of tliis fearless chnmpion and earliest advocate 
of Colonial freedom." The failure to identify any of the 
parties engaged in the destruction of the Gaspee fortunately 
prevented a collision between the Colonial and British au- 
thorities at this time. . 

In May, the Assembly unanimously adopted the plan of 
Virginia for forming Committees of Correspondence, which 
wei'e "to obtain the most early and authentic intelligence 
of all such acts and resolutions of the British Parliament, 
and measures of the Ministry, as may relate to or affect the 
British Colonies in America ; and to maintain a correspond- 
ence and communication with the other Colonies respecting 
these important considerations. " Warlike precautions were 
also taken at this time. The platforms for the battery at 
Fort George were repaired, and new carriages were made 
for the guns formerly used on the Colony war sloop. 

In January, 1774, tlie people of Newport and the other 
towns in Ehode Island, following the example of Philadel- 
phia, "Resolved, That we will have nothing to do with the 
East India Company's irksome tea, nor any other subject 
to the like duty," and, further, that they would stand with 
the other Colonies in vindicating the rights of America 
against the power of taxation claimed by Great Britain. 

May 17, 1774, "The people of Providence, assembled in 
town meeting, formally proposed the last remaining act 
necessary to a union of the Colonies— the Continental Con- 
gress. The idjea had become familiar to the popular mind; 



164 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

it had boon proposed in the addresses of public speakers 
and suggested hj Committees of Correspondence ; but the 
formal proposition had never yet been made by any re^-pon- 
sible and aiitliorized body. The movement had not re- 
ceived the sanction of any legally constituted authority 
until made at this meeting of the freemen of Providence." 
— Arnold, vol. 2, p. 334. 

The author further says that " Ehode Island, as she had 
been the first, through the means of town meetings, to pro- 
pose a Continental Congress, was also the earliest to appoint 
delegates to attend it. it is significant of the unanimity of 
the people on this matter, tliat the two delegates selected, 
were the ex-Governors whose rival parties had for so many 
years divided the Councils of the Colony.'' 

"At a town meetingheld at Providence, Rhode Island, on 
the 17th day of May. a.d. 1774, called by warrant, 

" Samuel Nightengale, Moderator, 

"Eesolved, That this town will heartily join with the 
Province of the Massachusetts Bay, and the other Colonies, 
in such measures as shall be generally agreed on by the 
Colonies for the protecting and securing their invaluable, 
natural rights and privileges, and transmitting the same to 
the latest posterity. 

" That the deputies of this town be requested to use their 
influencs at the approacliing session of the General Assem- 
bly of this Colony for promoting a Congress as soon as may 
be, of the representatives of the General Assemblies of the 
several Colonies and Provinces of North America, for estab- 
lishing the firmest union, and adopting such measures as to 
them shall appear the most effectual to answer that import- 
ant puri)ose, and to agree upon proper methods for execut- 
ing the same. 

"That the Committee of Correspondence of this town be 
desired to assure the town of Boston that we do consider 
ourselves greatly interested in the present alarming conduct 
of the British Parliament towards them, and view the whole 
English- American Colonies equally concerned in the event; 
and that we will, with the utmost firmness, act aocordingly 
whenever any plan shall be agreed on. In the mean time we 
are of opinion that an universal stoppage of all trade with 
Great Britain, Ireland, Africa, and the West Indies, until 
such time as the port of Boston shall be reinstated in its 
former privileges, etc., will be the best expedient in the case; 
and that a proper time should be generally agreed on for the 
same universally to take place. 

"Whereas, The inhabitants of America are engaged in 
the preservation of their rights and liberties ; and as personal 
liberty is an essential part of the natural rights of mankind, 
the deputies of the town are directed to use their endeavors 
to obtain an act of the General Assembly prohibiting the im- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 165 

portation of negro slaves in this Colony ; and that all negroes 
born in the Colony should be free at attaining to a certain 
age. 

'• Voted, That James Angell, Esq., be added to the Com- 
mittee of Correspondence of this town, and that he sign 
their letters as clerk. " 

Rhode Island Resolutions. 

" At the General Assembly of the Governor and Company 
of the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plan- 
tations, in New England, in America, begun and holden by 
adjournment, at Newport, within and for the said Colony, 
on the second Monday in June, in the year of our Lord, one 
thousand seven hundred and seventy -four, and in the four- 
teenth year of the reign of his most sacred Majesty King 
George the Third, by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, 
and so forth. 

"This Assembly, taking into their most serious considera- 
tion several acts of the British Parliament for levying taxes 
upon his Majesty's subjects in America without their con- 
sent; and particularly an act lately passed for the blocking 
up the port of Boston, which act, even upon the supposition 
that the people of Boston had justly deserved punishment, is 
scarcely to be parallelled in history for the severity of the 
vengeance executed upon them; and also considering to 
what a deplorable state this and all the other Colonies are 
reduced when, by an act of Parliament, in which the subjects 
of America have not a single voice, and without being heard, 
they may be divested of pi-operty and deprived of liberty ; — 
do, upon mature deliberation, 

"Resolve, 1st, That it is the opinion of this Assembly that 
a firm and inviolable union of all the Colonies in counsels 
and measures is absolutely necessary for the preservation of 
their rights and liberties ; and that for that purpose a con- 
vention of representatives from all the Colonies ought to be 
holden in some suitable place as soon as may be, in order to 
consult upon proper measures to obtain a repeal of the said 
acts, and to establish the rights and libei'ties of the Colony 
upon a just and solid foundation. 

"2d, That the honorable Stephen Hopkins, and the Honor- 
able Samuel Ward, Esqrs., be and they are hereby appointed 
by this assembly to represent the people of this Colony in a 
General Congress of Representatives from the other Colonies 
at such time and place as shall be agreed upon by the major 
part of the committees appointed or to be appointed by the 
Colonies in general. 

' ' 3d, That they consult and advise, with the representatives 
of the other Colonies who shall meet in such Congress, upon 
a loyal and dutiful petition and remonstrance to be presented 



166 THE BIRTH OF THE JREPUBLIO. 

to liis Majesty, as the united voice of liis faithful subjects in 
Amei'ica, setting forth the grievances they labor under, and 
praying his gracious interposition for their relief. 

"And that, in case a major part of the i-epresentatives of all 
the Colonies shall agree upon such petition and remonstrance, 
they be empowered to sign the same in behalf of this Colony. 

"4th, That they also consult upon all such reasonable and 
lawful measures as may be expedient for the Colonies in a 
iniited manner to pursue, in order to procure a redress of 
their grievances, and to ascertain and establish their rights 
and liberties. 

" 5th, That they also endeavor to procure a regular annual 
convention of representatives from all the Colonies to con- 
sider of proper means for the preservation of the rights and 
liberties of all the Colonies. 

"6th, That the speaker of the lower House transmit,as soon 
as may be, copies of these resolutions to the present or late 
speakers of the respective Houses of Representatives of all 
the British Colonies upon the continent. 

"Henry Ward, Secretary." 

Providence (Rhode Island) Town Meeting. 

"At a town meeting held at Providence, Rhode Island, con- 
vened by warrant on the 12th day of August, 1774, 

"Benjamin Man, Esq., Moderator, 

"Instructions to the deputies of this town in General As- 
sembly : 

" Gentlemen: The suffering and distresses of the people of 
the town of Boston, occasioucd by a relentless execution of 
that cruel edict for blocking up the port, awakens our atten- 
tion and excites our compassion. Their cause is our cause; 
and unless aid and succour be afforded them, they may be 
discouraged into a hurtful submission, and Ministerial 
vengeance may next be directed against this Colony, and in 
the end alight upon all. You are therefore requested to use 
your endeavors, at the next session of the General Assembly, 
to procui'ea grant, to be made from this Colony, of such sum 
of money as they may think fit towards relieving and 
mitigating the difficulties and distresses which that town 
must experience from the operation of that most unrighteous 
inhibition, the hostile manner of carrying the same into force, 
and a general arrest of their liberties. 

"Permit us to observe that in doing this it vnW be evidenced 
that as a community we would do unto others as we would 
that they should do unto us in a like circumstance; and that 
it will be a greater testiniony of unanimity in the general 
concernments of America in thisdny of struggle and danger, 
than private contributions, and far more equal." 

"At a town meeting held at Piovideuee, Rhode Island, on 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 1 G7 

the 21st day of November, 1774, a.m., called by warrant, to 
order a town tax, etc., 

" Nicholas Brown, Esq., Moderator, 

" Voted, That the Committee of Correspondence for this 
town be hereby empowered to receive of the town treasury 
the sum of one hundred and twenty five pounds lawful 
money, and to transmit the same to the committee in the 
town of Boston for receiving donations for the distressed in- 
habitants of the town of Boston and Charlestown; and the 
treasurer is hereby ordered to pay said sum out of the first 
money he shall receive of the tax now ordered." 

Extract from a letter of Captain Wallace to Vice-admiral 
Graves, dated on board his Majesty's ship Rose, at New- 
port, Rhode Island, 12th of December, 1774: 

"Yesterday I arrived in this port with his Majesty's sliip 
under my command, from New London, on a cruise of which 
I had the honor to acquaint you the'Sth instant. Since my 
absence from tlais place, I find the inhabitants (they say here 
of Providence) have seized upon the King's cannon that was 
upon Fort Island, consisting of six 24-pounders, eighteen 18- 
pounders, fourteen 6-pounders, and six 4-pounders (the latter 
they say formerly belonged to a Province sloop they had 
here), and conveyed them to Providence. 

"A procedure so extraordinary caused me to wait upon 
the Governor, to inquire of Mm, for your information, why 
such a step had been taken. He very frankly told me they 
had done it to prevent their falling into the hands of the 
King, or any of his servants, and that they meant to make 
use of them to defend themselves against any power that 
shall offer to molest them. I then mentioned if, in the course 
of carrying on the King's service here, I should ask assistance, 
whether I might expect any from him or any others in the 
government. He answered, as to himself, he had no power, 
and, in respect to any other part of the government, I should 
meet with nothing but opposition and difficulty. So much 
from Governor V/anton. Then I endeavored to" get the best 
Information of what they were at from other quarters, and 
inclosed I send it to you ; among some of their votes you will 
find they intend to procure powder and ball and military 
stores of all kinds wherever they can get them." 

Extract of a letter to a gentleman in New York, dated 
Newport, R. I., December 14, 1774: 

"The people here have, I think, openly declared them- 
selves against government, and in such manner as surely 
must be pronounced rebellion. Is it possible tbat a pccple 
without arms, ammunition, money, or navy should dare 
brave a nation dreaded and respected by all the powers on 
earth ? What black ingratitude to the parent-state who has 
nourished, protected, and supported thom in their infancy ! 
What can these things indicate but a civil war ? Horrid re- 



168 THE BIRTH OF THE ItEPUBLlO. 

flection! and such as freezes the blood of every human 

"There has been a most extraordinary movement here a 
few days ago. The pubhc authority of the Colony have dis- 
mantled the King's fort and moved all the cannon and stores 
to Providence, in order, as it is said, to assist the Bostomans 
against the King's troops. 

" Underneath is a list of the cannon: 

" Six 24-pounders, eighteen 18-pounders given by the late 
King to the fort; fourteen G-pounders, six 4-pounders belong- 
ing to the Colony. 

" God send us better times! 

"Yours, etc." 

Committee of Newport, E. I., to the Philadelphia Com- 
mittee : 

" Newport, January 5, 1775. 

" Gentlemen: Being informed that it is reported at New 
York, and at other parts of the continent, that the inhabitants 
of this town are fitting out vessels and determined to carry 
on their trade in violation of the Continental Association, 
and as the propagators of this infamous falsehood can have 
no other intention than to weaken the bonds of union be- 
tween the Colonies, we think it our duty to acquaint you 
that several vessels designed for tlie coast of Africa, which 
could not be got ready by the 1st of December, have been 
actually laid up ; that several parcels of sheep purchased for 
exportation have been stopped ; and that, so far as we can 
learn, the Association hath been strictly adhered to by the 
merchants in this Colony, who declaz-e their intention to 
abide by it. Indeed, the absolute necessity of an union in 
common measures for the common safety is so obvious that 
we can assure you that the trade of Rhode Island wiU be 
carried on with a punctual regard to the Association. 

" We pray an early communication of any intelligence 
you may receive of importance to the Colonies, and are, 
with great esteem, gentlemen, your most humble servants." 

Tlie Committeee of Correspondence to the Committee 
of Correspondence for Philadelphia : 

" Pkovidence, R. I., March 4, 1775. 
"On Thmsday last, the 2d instant, about 12 o'clock, at 
noon, the town crier gave the following notice through the 
town : ' At 5 o'clock this afternoon, a quantitv of India tea 
will be burnt in the market-place. Ail true friends of their 
country, lovers of freedom, and haters of shackles and hand- 
cuffs are hereby invited to testify their good disposition by 
brmging m and casting into the fire a needless herb, which 
for a long tune liath been highly detrimental to our liberty, 
mterost, and lioalth.' About five o'clock in the afternoon 
a great number of inhabitants assembled at the place, when 



TME BTRTE OP THE REPUBLIC. 169 

there was brought in about three hundred pound weight of 
tea by the firm contenders for the true interests of America. 

" A large fire was kindled, and the tea cast into it. A tar 
barrel, Lord North's speech, Rivingston's and Mill's, and 
Hick's newspapers, and divers other ingredients were also 
added. Thei'e appeared great cheerfulness in committing 
to destruction so pernicious an article, many worthy women, 
from a conviction of the evil tendency of continuing the 
habit of tea-drinking, made free-will offerings of their re- 
spective stocks of the hurtful trash. On this occasion the 
bells were tolled, but it is referred to the learned whether 
tolling or ringing would have been most proper. 

"Whilst the tea was burning, a spirited Son of Liberty 
went along the streets with his brush and lampblack, an^ 
obhterated or unpainted the word ' tea' on the shop signs." 

"Providence, April 25, 1775. 

" To the Speaker of the House of Comvions of Connecticut: 

"Sir: I am directed by the lower House of Assembly to 
inform you that William Bradford, Esq., and Mr. Nathaniel 
Greene, two of the members of this House, are appointed 
' to wait upon the General Assembly of the Colony of Con- 
necticut, to consult upon measures for the common defence 
of the four New England Colonies, and to make report to 
the next session of Assembly (which will be next week at 
Providence) at our general election.' 

"The Assembly this day have passed an act to raise fifteen 
hundred effective men for the service of this Colony and the 
general cause. Great firmness and resolution for the defence 
of the common rights of this country most certainly prevail 
in this Colony ; and greater unanimity was scarce ever found 
than was manifested in the lower House, on the great ques- 
tions which came before them." 

" General Assembly of Rhode Island, ) 
Providence, R. I., May 20, 1775. j 

"Wliereas, The Ministry and Parliament of Great Brit- 
ain, sacrificing the glory and happiness of their sovereign, 
and the good of Britain and the Colonies to their own am- 
bitious and lucrative views, have entei'cd into many arbi- 
trary, illegal resolutions for depriving his Majesty's subjects 
in America of every security for the enjoyment of life, 
liberty, and property ; and have sent and are still sending 
troops and ships of war into their Colonies to enforce their 
tyrannical mandates, and have actually begun to shed the 
blood of the innocent people of these Colonies;— in conse- 
quence whereof, this Assembly, at the session held on the 22d 
of April last, passed an act for raising fifteen hundred men, 
as an army ot observation, and to assist any of our sister- 
Colonies ; 



170 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIO. 

" And wlioi-cas, The Honorable Joseph Wanton, Esq., the 
Governor of this Colony, did enter a protest against the said 
act. conceived in such terms as highly to reflect upon the 
General Assembly, and upon the united opposition of all 
America to the aforesaid tyrannical measure; 

"And whereas. The said Joseph Wanton, Esq., hath ne- 
glected to issue a proclamation for the due observance of the 
Thursday, the 11th of May instant, as a day of fasting and 
prajer, agreeable to an act passed at the said session ; 

"And whereas. The said Joseph Wanton, Esq., hath been 
elected to the office of Governor of this Colony for the pres- 
ent year, and been duly notified by this Assembly, not- 
withstanding wliich he hath not attended at this General 
Assembly and taken the oath required by law ; 

"And whereas, The said Joseph Wanton, Esq., bath posi- 
tively refused to sign the commissions for the ofiicers ap- 
pointed to command the troops so ordered to be raised: by 
all which ho hath manifested his intention to defeat the 
good people of these Colonies in their present glorious strug- 
gle to transmit, inviolate to postei-ity, those sacred rights 
they have received from their ancestors; — 

"Be it therefore enacted by this General Assembly, and 
by the authority thereof it is enacted. That the Deputy-gov- 
ernor and associates be and they are hereby forbid to ad- 
minister the oath of office to the said Joseph Wanton, Esq., 
unless in free and open General Assembly, according to the 
unvaried practice or this Colony, and with the assent of such 
Assembly; that until the said Joseph Wanton, Esq., shall 
have taken the oath of office as aforesaid, it shall not be law- 
ful for him to act as governor of this Colony in any case 
whatsoever; and that every act done by him in the prece- 
dent capacity of Governor shall be null and void in itself, 
and shall not opei-ate as a warrant or discharge to any per- 
son actin*^ undor his order or by his authority. 

" And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. 
That Henry Ward, E:^q., Secretary of the Colony, be and he 
is hereby directed, and is fully authorized and empowered, 
to sign the commissions for the officers, civil and military, 
chosen by this Assembly, as well those given in the ser- 
vice aforesaid as others, he receiving therefor out of the 
general treasury two shillings and eightpence for each com- 
mission. And that such commissions so signed, with the 
Colony seal affixed, shall be as full and effectual warrants 
to every and all such officers so chosen for the faithful dis- 
charge r.f his and their duty, as if the same were signed by 
a povenior of this Colony duly elected and engaged accord- 
ing to law; any law, custom, or usage to the contrary hereof 
m any wise notwithstanding. 

"And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
Ihat his Honour the Deputy-governor be requested and fully 



THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIC. 171 

authorized and empowered to call the General Assembly to- 
gether upon any emei'gency, to meet at such time and place 
as he shall thmk most fit for the interest of the Colony." 

" Rhode Island Assembly, [ 
August, 1775 \ 

" Whereas, Notwithstanding the humble and dutiful peti- 
tion of the last Congress to the King, and other wise and 
pacific measures taken for obtaining a happy reconciliation 
between Great Britain and tiie Colonies, the Ministry, lost to 
every sense of justice, liberty, and huinanity. continue to send 
troops and ships of war into America, which destroy our 
trade, plunder and burn our towns, and murder the people 
of these Colonies, — 

"It is therefore Voted and Resolved, That this Colony 
most ardently desire to see the former friendship, harmony, 
and intercourse between Great Britain and these Colonies re- 
stored, and a happy, lasting connection established between 
both countries, upon terms of just and equal liberty; and 
"will concur with the other Colonies in all proper measures 
for obtaining those desirable blessings. And as eveiy prin- 
ciple, divine and htunan, require us to obey that great and 
fundamental law of nature, — self-preservation, — until peace 
shall be restored upon constitutional principles, this Colony 
will most heartily exert the whole power of government for 
carrying on this just and necessary war, and bringing the 
same to a happy issue. And amongst other measures for 
obtaining this most desirable purpose, this Assembly is per- 
suaded that the building and equipping an American fleet, 
as soon as possible, would greatly and essentially conduce 
to the preservation of the fives, liberty, and property of the 
good people of these Colonies ; and therefore instruct their 
delegates to use their whole influence, at the ensuing Con- 
gress, for building, at the continental expense, a fleet of suf- 
ficient force for the protection of these Colonies, and for em- 
ploying them in such manner and places as will most eff'ec- 
tually annoy our enemies and contribute to the common 
defence of these Colonies. And they are also instructed to 
use their influence for carrying on the war in the most 
vigorous manner, until peace, liberty, and safety be restored 
and secvired to these Colonies upon an equitable and per- 
manent basis." 

Rhode Island promptly responded to the proposition made 
by Massachusetts, that the New England Colonies should 
raise 30,000 men. Some four thousand men were soon under 
arms ; and on the 20th April, when news of the British at- 
tack on Lexington and Concord reached Providence, one 
thousand men were sent to the aid of the sister-Colony. The 
order for the march, however, was countermanded; the im- 
mediate necessity for their presence having ceased. 

May 3d, the Assembly adopted the bold measure of sus- 



172 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

pending the functions of the Governor, Joseph Wanton. ' ' He 
had protested aj2;ainst the act for raising the army of observa- 
tion ; he had neglected to issue his proclamation for the fast- 
day api)ointed by the Assembly; he had failed to be present 
to take the oath of office at this session ; and he now refused 
to sign the commission for officers of the new army; 'by all 
which he hath manifested his intentions to defeat the good 
people of these Colonies in their present glorious struggle to 
transmit, inviolate to posterity, those sacred rights they 
have received from their ancestors.' The magistrates were 
therefoi-e forbidden to administer to him the official oath 
unless in open Assembly, ' according to the unvaried prac- 
tice' and with the consent of the Assembly ; and until this 
oath was thus taken he was disqualified from acting as 
governor. Henry "Ward, Secretary, was empowered to 
sign all commissions, civil or military, and the Deputy-gov- 
ernor was authorized to convene the Assembly at his discre- 
tion." 

June 15th, a small vessel which had been detained or seized 
by the British naval commander Captain Wallace, was re- 
captured by an armed sloop commanded by Captain Whip- 
ple, in the Colony's service, "after a sharp fii'ing on both 
sides." "Two armed vessels were at once ordered to be 
equipped for the defence of the Colony: the largest to carry 
ten 4-pounders, and fourteen swivel guns, with eighty 
men ; the smaller to carry thirty men. They were called 
the Washington and the Katy. Both were placed under the 
command of Abraham Whipple, the hero of the Gaspee, 
with the rank of Commodore. Such Vi^as the commencement 
of tlifi American Navy."— Arnold, vol. 2, p. 351. 

June 17th, "The Kose frigate. Swan sloop of war, and a 
tender came up the river in pursuit of prizes, and, while ab- 
sent from Newport, five vessels which they had previously 
taken were boarded and carried off by the people of that 
town."— Page 352. 

In August two "row-galleys," or gun-boats, each to carry 
sixty men, were added to the naval force of Rhode Island ; 
and at the same session of the Assembly, the delegates in 
Congress were insti-ucted " to use their whole influence for 
bmldmg, at the continental expense, a fleet of sufficient force 
for t!io protection of these Colonies." 

In November, Governor Wanton, who had been suspended 
m May, was deposed and the office declared vacant. The 
Deputy governor, Nicholas Cooke, succeeded him. 

It was contended by Arnold that the Whigs of Ehode 
Island auned at mdepondence from the year 1768 forward, 
ller Constitution or Charter had always been republican in 
cljnrictor, all hor officers were elected by the people or ap- 
pointf'.l by the Provincial Government; and the people had 
thus been trained, for generations, to the exercise of self- 



TEE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 173 

government. On the 4th May, 1776, the Assembly passed 
the following act, which is practically a declaration of inde- 
pendence of Great Britain : 

' ' An Act Repealing 'An Act for the more Effectually Secur- 
ing to his Majesty the Allegiance of his Subjects, in this his 
Colony and Dominion of Rhode Island and Providence 
Plantations,' and Altermg the Forms of Commissions of all 
Writs and Processes in the Courts, and of the Oaths pre- 
scribed by law. 

"Whereas in all states existing by compact, protection 
and allegiance are recipi'ocal, the latter being only due in 
consequence of the former; and whereas, George the Third 
King of Great Britain, forgetting his dignity, regardless of 
the compact most solemnly entered into, ratified, and con- 
firmed to the inhabitants of this Colony by his illustrious 
ancestors, and, till of late, fuUy recognized by him; and, 
entirely departing from the duty and character of a good 
King, instead of protecting, is endeavoring to destroy the 
good people of this Colonj^ and of all the united Colonies, 
by sending fleets and armies to America to confiscate our 
property and spread fire, sword, and desolation throughout 
our country in order to compel us to submit to the most 
debasing and detestable tyranny ; whereby we are obliged 
by necessity, and it becomes our highest duty, to use every 
means with which God and nature have furnished us, in 
support of our invaluable rights and privileges, to oppose that 
power which is exerted only for our destruction. 

"Be it therefore enacted by this General Assembly, and 
by the authority thereof it is enacted. That an act entitled 
'An Act for the more Effectually Securing to his Majesty the 
Allegiance of his Subjects in this his Colony and Dominion 
of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations' be and the 
same is hereby repealed. 

" And it is further enacted by this General Assembly, and 
by tbe authority thereof it is enacted. That in all commissions 
for officers, civil and military, and in all writs and processes 
in law, whether original, judicial, or executory, civil or 
criminal, wherever the name and authority of the said King 
is made use of, the same shall bo omitted, and in the room 
thereof the name and authority of the Governor and Com- 
pany of this Colony shall he substituted, in the following 
woi-ds, to wit: ' The Governor and Company of the Englisla 
Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations;' that 
all such commissions, writs, and processes shall be otherwise 
of the same form and tenor as they heretofore were ; that 
the courts of law be no longer entitled or considered as the 
King's courts; and that no instrument of writing, of any 
nature or kind, whether public or private, shall, in the date 
thereof, mention the year of the said King's reign : provided, 
nevertheless, that nothing in this act contained shall render 



174 THE BIBTII OF THE REPUBLIC. 

void or vitiate, any commission, writ, process, or instrument 
lieretoloro made or executed, on account of the name and 
authority of the said Kinj- being therein inserted." 

The records of the Assembly had always closed, says 
Arnold, with the loyal motto, "God save the King!" but at 
this session the closing words were, ' ' God save the United 
Colonics!" 

General Greene, the distinguished patriot-soldier of Ehode 
Island, as early as October, 1775, expressed a strong convic- 
tion that independence was inevitable. And in no one Colony 
was this sentiment more prevalent in advance of the event. 

NEW YORK. 

Tlie merchants of New York were among the foremost 
and most determined in opposition to the Stamp Act; but 
they for a long Avhile resisted the enforcement of the non- 
importation agreements which were entered into by the 
other Colonies ; and aided by the Crown officers, they for a 
whilo had sufficient influence in the Colony to prevent their 
adoption. A letter from Lieutenant-governor Golden to the 
Earl of Hillsborough, dated New York, July 7, 1770, says: 

''As there still remains a restless faction who, from pop- 
ular arguments, rumors, and invectives, are endeavoring to 
excite riots and opposition among the lower class of people, 
a number of gentlemen went round the town to take the 
sentiments of individuals. I am told that IISO, nmong 
which are the principal inhabitants, declared for importa- 
tion, about 300 were neutral or unwilling to declare their 
sentiments, and (only) a few of any distinction declared in 
opposition to it. I am informed likewise that the merchants 
of this place resolved to acquaint the merchants of Boston 
and Philadelphia with their inclinations to import." — O'Cal- 
laghan's N. Y. Historical Collection. 

The sequel will show that the undistinguished class, whose 
opinions wore not thought worth inqiu'ring into, when the 
issue was made carried the day. They overcame the mer- 
chants and the government and compelled the adoption of 
the non-importation agreement. Within a week this ob- 
scure element, the common people, led by what is styled an 
"inconsiderable, noisy, blustering faction, whose whole aim 
is to koop the country in confusion, in order to ar.sAver their 
purpi )-es and keep up a popularity which, by vile means, 
they havi> obtained among the lower class of mechanics and 
inhil)itants,"— this faction had sufficient influence to get up 
a public meeting at the City Hall, at which Isaac Sears 
"pul)licly declared if any merchant or number of merchants 
presume I to break through the non-importation agreement 
till the several Provinces had agreed to do the same, he 
would lose his life in the attempt or the goods imnorted 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 175 

should bo burnt as soon as landed ; and strenuously advised 
that every measure in the power of that faction should be 
attempted, to frustrate the resolutions taken or to be taken 
by the gentlemen and merchants for bringing about an 
importation." 

Governor Tryon, who had succeeded Govei-nor Moore in 
17G9, writes to Earl Dartmouth under date of November 3, 
1773, that "It is with real regret I acquaint your lordship 
of the ferment the minds of many of his Majesty's subjects 
have been in since the late arrival here of some of the coun- 
try ships in the London trade, which brought intelligence 
of the Easl: India Company's intention to ship, tea on their 
own account to America; and the refusal of the masters of 
those vessels to take it on board." With this letter Tryon 
inclosed newspapers containmg "productions calculated to 
sow sedition. " 

Tryon again writes, under date. New York, 1st Dec. , 1773, 
as follows : 

' ' Since information has been received that the teas 
shipped by the East India Company are subject to the im- 
portation duty in America, the commissioners appointed for 
sending those teas, finding it would be impossible to carry 
into execution the powers granted them, have this day pre- 
sented a memorial requesting government would take the 
teas uuder its protection. The memorial and minute of 
Council herewith transmitted will explain both the extent 
of the request and the measure of protection advised to be 
granted. I have accordingly applied to Captain Ascough, 
of his Majesty's sloop the Swan, to take the vessel, when 
arrived, under his protection until the tea could be landed, 
which, I am informed, will be effected without obstruction, 
though the general voice is no sales, no consumption while 
the American duty remains unrepealed by Parliament. 

"The publications inclosed are by no means to be thought 
the sense of the inhabitants further than the general reluc- 
tance to take any articles from Great Britain subject to 
duties in America. " 

So this reluctance was general, and not confined to a small 
faction. 

January 3, 1774, Tryon writes to Earl Dartmouth, that, 

"Until the arrival of the account of the tea being de- 
stroyed at Boston, I had conceived very sanguine hopes that 
temperate measures might have been manifested in the con- 
duct of the body of the people of this Province on the ar- 
rival of the tea," etc. But he concludes : " From the general 
appearance of the united opposition to the px'inciple of the 
monopoly and the importation duty in America, I can form 
no other opinion than that the landing, storing, and safe 
keeping of the tea when stored, could be accomplished, but 
only under the jDrotection of the point of the bayonet and 



1 76 TUE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIO. 

muzzle of the cannon ; and even then I do not see how the 
consumption could be effected." ^ , , , . , 

Governor Tryon, having gone to England on leave of ab- 
sence on account of impaired health, the T>icutenant-gov- 
einor, Golden, again resumed authority. Under date of May 
4, 1774, lie wrote: 

'•Captain Lockyer, with the so-long-locked-for ten from 
the India Company, ari-ived at Sandy Hook on the 19th of 
last month. The ship came no farther up, and, a few days 
aftoi-, sailed from thence again for London, with the tea on 
board Nfuther the captain nor any other made the least 
application to me about the sliip or her cargo. The ac- 
count of this affair published in the inclosed newspaper is 
as particular and full as any tliat I could procure. 

"lathe same paper your lordship will find an account 
of some more violent proceedings against a parcel of tea 
imported by Captain Chambers of the ship London; who 
arrived here while Captain Lockwood was in this place. 
As no application was made to me by Captain Chambers or 
any other before or since this riotous event, I cannot give 
your lordship a better account of it than is contained in 
tbe printed paper. It happened early in the evening, and, 
though a pretty large number of spectators were assembled, 
the quarter where I reside and the greater part of the town 
was perfectly quiet." 

In a subsequent letter Colden says that "The destruction 
of Captain Chambers' tea was so unexpected and sudden 
that no measures could be previously thought of to prevent 
it. 

" A few days after Governor Tryon went from hence, a 
small sloop loaded with Dutch tea, duck, etc., was seized 
by an officer of the Custom-house. She was taken in this 
port at noonday and secured without any tumult on the 
occasion." 

July G, 1774, Colden writes to Dartmouth that a commit- 
tee of fifty-one persons had been appouited to correspond 
with similar conunittees in other Colonies. He admits his 
inability to suppress the movement, and attempts to console 
himself and his lordship with the statement that some of 
the b(;tter sort of gentlemen had joined in the movement, 
in order to prevent excesses. 

The following are extracts from the proceedings of this 
committee : 

" New York Committee ok C'oi{uesponuence, ) 
'* New Yt)UK, Monday, May 10, 1774. | 

"The merchants and otiier inhabitants of the city of New 
York assembled at tlie Exchange in said city and nominat- 
ed the following gentlemen to form a comniittee to corre- 
spond with our sister-Colonios upon all matters of moment, 
and that fifteen be a board, all being duly summoned; 



TUB BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 



Ill 



John Alsop, 
Peter V. B. Livingston, 
David Johnston, 
Alex. McDougall, 
Isaac Low, 
James Duane, 
EHas Desbi'osses, 
John Delaney, 
John Broome, 
Joseph Hallett, 
James Jauncey, 
Abraham Walton, 
Henry Romson, 
Peter T, Ciirtenius, 
Abraham P. Lott, 
Abraham Duryee, 
Richard Shar])e, 
William Bayard, 
Philip Livingston, 
Charles McEvers, 
Capi. Th. Randall, 
Leonard Lispenard, 
Edward Laiglit, 
William Walton, 



John Jay, 
Charles Shaw, 
Gabriel H. Ludlow, 
Gerandus Duyckinck, 
Hamilton Yoimg, 
Peter Goelet, 
David Van Home, 
Joseph Bull, 
Thomas Marston, 
Thcophilas Bache, 
Isaac Sears, 
Charles Nicholl, 
John Moore, 
Jac. Van Zandt, 
Thomas Pearsall, 
Richard Yates, 
John Thurman, 
Benjamin Booth, 
Alexander Wallace, 
Nicholas Hoffman, 
Peter Van Schaach, 
George Brown, 
Abraham Brosher, 
Gerard W. Beekman, 
William McAdain. 



Miles Sherbrook, 

On Tuesday the following notice was published in hand- 
bills: 

"To the public: An advertisement having appeared at 
the Coffee-house, in consequence of the late extraordinary 
and very alarming advices rectuved from England, inviting 
the merchants to meet at the house of Mr. Samuel Francis, 
on Monday evening. May 10th, in order to consult on meas- 
uresproper to be pursued on the present critical and import- 
ant occasion : 

"A very respectable and large number of the merchants 
and other inhabitants did accordingly appear at the time 
and place appointed, and then and there nominated for the 
approbation of the public a committee of fifty persons, of 
which fifteen to be a suffacient number to do business, 

" That therefore no formality may be wanting to constitute 
a committee duly chosen, the inhabitants of this city and 
county are requested to attend at the Coffee-house on 
Thursday, the 19th instant, at 1 o'clock, to ai)prove of the 
committee nominated as aforesaid, or to appoint such other 
persons as in their discretion and. wisdom may seem meet." 

"New Yokk, Tuesday, May 17, 1774. 

" In consequence of the foregoing advertisement, a great 
conc<xirse of the inhabitants mot at the Coffee house on 
Thursday, May 19th, to confirm or alter the nomination of a 



ITS THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

comniittoe to correspond with our sister Colonies when Mr. 
Isuac Low addressed his fellow-citizens in the follownig 

'•'Gentlemen: You have been duly apprised, both by 
handbills and advertisements in this day's papers, of the 
intention of your present meeting. 

'"I hope, gentlemen, you will manifest by your conduct 
that you are actuated by the dictates of calm reason only in 
the choice of the committee I am to propose for your appro- 
bation. 

" ' It is but charitable to suppose we aU mean the same 
thing, and that the only difference among us is, or at least 
ought to be, the mode of effecting it,— I mean the preservation 
of oui- just rights and liberties. Let us then call down wis- 
dom to our aid, and endeavor to walk in her hallowed paths. 

" ' Zc^l in a good cause is most laudable; but when it trans- 
ports beyond the bounds of reason, it often leaves room for 
bitter reflection. 

"'\"Veout, therefore, gentlemen, to banish from our hearts 
all little party distinctions, feuds, and animosities, for to our 
imauimity and ^■irtue we must at last resort for safety ; and 
that man\vill approve himself the best friend to his country 
whose highest emulation is to inculcate those principles, both 
by precept and example." 

The nomination of the fifty gentlemen made at the Es- 
chatige on the 16th instant was then submitted by Mr. 
Low and confirmed by the meeting, and Mr. Francis Lewis 
was added to the mmaber by unanimous consent. 

"New Yoke, Monday, May 23, 1774. 

"Tlie committee appointed to correspond with our sister- 
Colonies upon all matters of moment met at the Coffee- 
house, pursuant to notice for that purpose given. 

" Tlio committee proceeded to choose Mr. Isasc Low to be 
tlipir chairman, and Mr. John Alsop their deputy chairman. 

"The committee received a letter from the body of me- 
chanics, signed Jonathan Blake, their chairman, informing 
them of their concurrence with the other inhabitants of this 
city in their nomination. 

''Ordered, That Mr. Duane, Mr. Jay, and Mr. Van Schaack 
bo a comniittee to draw up a set of rules for the regulation 
of the committee, and present the same at the next meeting. 

"Ordered, That the first five members on the list, who 
shall be in town, be a committee to open all letters directed 
to the committee, in the absence of the chairman and deputy 
chairman. 

Ix'ttci-s from the Committee of Correspondence of Boston, 
with tlie vote of the town of Boston, of the 13th instant, and 
a letter fi-om the committee of Philadelphia were read. 

"Ordered, That Mr. ]\IcDougall, Mr. Low, Mr. Duane, and 



THE BIRTH OF TEE REPUBLIC. 179 

Mr. Jay be a committee to prepare and report a draft of an 
answer to the Boston committee at eig:ht o'clock p.m. ; to 
which hour the grand committee were then adjoined. 

" New York, May 23, 1774. 

''The committee met at the Coffee-house at 8 o'clock in 
the evening, pursuant to adjournment. 

''The committee appointed this morning to prepare a 
draft of a letter, in answer to those received from Boston, 
presented a draft to the committee, which was unanunously 
approved of and ordered to be signed by the chairman and 
transmitted to the Committee of Correspondence at Boston, 
in words following : 

" ' New York, May 23, 1774. 

" ' Gentlemen: The alarming measures of the British Par- 
liament relative to your ancient and respected town, which 
has so long been the seat of freedom, fill the inhabitants of 
this city with inexpressible concern. As a sister-Colony 
suffering in defence of the rights of America, we consider 
your injuries as a common cause, to the redress of which it 
is equally our duty and our interest to contribute. But 
what ought to be done in a situation so truly critical while 
it employs the anxious thoughts of every generous mind, is 
very hard to be determined. 

" ' Our citizens have thought it necessary to appoint a large 
committee consisting of fifty-one persons to correspond with 
our sister Colonies on this and every other matter of jiublic 
moment, and at ten o'clock this forenoon we were first 
assembled. 

"' Your letter inclosing the vote of the town of Boston, 
and the letter of your Committee of Correspondence, were 
immediately taken into consideration. 

" ' While we think you justly entitled to the thanks of your 
sister-Colonies for asking their advice on a case of such ex- 
tensive consequences, we lament our inability to relieve 
your anxiety by a decisive opinion. The cause is general 
and concerns a whole continent, who are equally interested 
with you and us; and we forsee that no remedy can be of 
avail unless it proceeds from the joint act and approbation 
of all, — from a virtuous and spirited union, — which may be 
expected ; while the feeble efforts of a few will only be at- 
tended with mischief and disappointment to themselves and 
triumph to the adversaries of our liberty. 

"'Upon these reasons we conclude that a Congress of 
Deputies froixi the Colonies in general is of the utmost mo- 
ment; that it ought to be assembled without delay, and some 
unanimous resolution formed on this fatal emergency, not 
only respecting your deplorable circumstance^!, but for the 
security of our common rights. Such being our sentiments, 



180 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

it must be premature to pronounce any judgment on the ex- 
pedient which you have suggested. ^u • ^- ^ 

"-We beg however, that you will do us the justice to 
believe tliat we shall continue to act with a firm and becom- 
ing regard to American freedom, and to co-operate with our 
Bister-Colonies in every measure which shall be thought 
saliitary and conducive to the public good. 

" 'We have nothing to add, but that we sincerely condole 
with you in your unexampled distress, and to request your 
speedy opinion of the proposed Congress that, if it should 
meet with your approbation, we may exert our utmost en- 
deavors to carry it into execution. 

" 'We are, etc' 

"Ordered, That the chairman send a copy of this letter to 
the committee at Boston and to the Committee of Corres- 
pondence at Philadelphia, acknowledging the receipt of a 
copy of their letter to Boston, approving the sentiments 
contained in it. 

" The committee adjourned to the Exchange, to meet on 
the 30 of May inst. at six o'clock in the evening." 

Copy of the letter sent by the New York committee to the 
Committee of Correspondence in Boston : 

" New York, June 7, 1774. 

"Gentlemen: We have received your favor of the 30th 
May, and you may rest assured we shall eagerly embrace 
all proper opportunities of contributing our mite towards 
brinpring to a favorable issue the unhappy disputes which 
at present subsist between the parent-state and her Colonies. 

"You say that 'a speedy, united, and vigorous effort is 
certainly all that can be depended upon to yield us any 
effectual relief, and that this effoi't is on all hands acknowl- 
edged to be the suspension of trade so wisely defined by 
you.' 

" To the first we entirely concur with you in sentiments; 
but in the last we apprehend you have made a mistake, for, 
on revising our letter to you, so far from finding a word 
mentioned of a ' suspension of trade, ' the idea is not even 
conceived. 

"That and every other resolution we have thought it most 
prudent to leave for the discussion of the proposed general 
Congress. 

" Adhering therefore to that measure as most conducive to 

E remote the grand system of politics we have in view, we 
ave the pleasure to acquaint you that we shall be ready on 
our part to meet at any time and place that you shall think 
fit to appoint, either of deputies from the general Assemblies, 
or such other deputies as shall be chosen, not only to speak 
the sentunents, Imt also to pledge themselves for the con- 
duct of the people of the respective Colonies they represent. 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPVBLIG. 181 

"We can undertake to assure you, in behalf of the people 
of this Colony, that they will readily agree to any measure 
that shall be adopted by the general Congress. It will be 
necessary that you give a sufficient time for the deputies 
of the Colonies as far southward as the Carolinas to assem- 
ble, and acquaint them as soon as possible with the proposed 
measures of Congress. Your letters to the southward of us 
we will forward with great pleasure. 

"You may have seen all the names of our committee in 
the public prints; and as we never heard the names of those 
which constitute your committee, we request the favor of 
you to give us that satisfaction in your next. We beg that 
your letters for the future may be sealed and directed to our 
chairman. 

" We are, gentlemen, your friends and most humble ser- 
vants. By order of the committee, 

"I. Low, Chairman.''^ 

South Haven (Neiv YorJc) Resolutions. 

"At a meeting of the inhabitants of the parish of South 
Haven, in the county of Suffolk and Colony of New York, 
the 13th of June, 1774, Mr. William Smith moderator, 

"It is voted and agreed, That the act of Parliament for 
blocking up the harbor of Boston is unconstitutional, and 
has a direct tendency to enslave the inhabitants of America 
and put an end to all property. 

"And it is also the opinion of this meeting that, if the 
Colonies all unite and strictly adhere to a non importation 
agreement from Great Britain and the West Indies, and 
have no trade with them, we should have great reason to 
expect in a short time a repeal of that oppressive act; and 
for that purpose we do heartily desire that such an agree- 
ment may be entered into." 

On the 17th of the same month a town meeting was 
held at Easthampton. 

Easthampton {Suffolk Co., N. Y.) Resolutions. 

"At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of East- 
hampton, in the county of Suffolk, legally warned by the 
trustees of said town, the 17th of June, 1774, 

"Eleazar Miller, Esq., moderator, 

"1st, Voted, That we will, to the utmost of our abilities, 
assert and in a lawful manner defend the liberties and immu- 
nities of British America; that we will co-operate with our 
brethren in this Colony in such measures as shall from time 
to time appear to us tlie most proper and the best adapted to 
save us from the burthens we fear, and in a measure already 
feel, from the principles adopted by the British Parliament 
respecting the town of Boston iii particular, and the British 
Colonies in North America in general. 



1 S2 THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIG. 

"2(1. Voted, That a non-importation agreement through 
the Colonies is the most likely means to save us from pres- 
ent and further troubles." 

Huntington (Suffolk Co., N. Y.) Resolutions. 

" At a general town meeting on the 21st day of June, 1774, 
the inhabitants of Huntington came into the following reso- 
lutions: 

' ' 1st. That every freeman's property is absolutely his own ; 
and that no man has a right to take it from him without his 
consent, expressed either by himself or his representatives. 

"2d. That therefore all taxes and duties imposed on his 
Majesty's subjects in the American Colonies by the authority 
of Parliament are wholly unconstitutional and a plain vio- 
lation of the most essential rights of the British subjects, 

' • 3d. That the act of Parhament lately passed for shutting 
up the port of Boston, or any other means or device under 
color or pretext of law to compel them or any other of his 
Majesty's American subjects to submit to Parliamentary 
taxation, are subversive of their just and constitutional 
liberty. 

"4th. That we are of opinion that our brethren of Boston 
are now suffering in the common cause of British America. 

■' 5th. That therefore it is the indispensable duty of all the 
Colonies upon this continent to unite in some effectual meas- 
ures for the repeal of the said act for shutting up the port 
of Boston, and every other act of Parliament whereby they 
are taxed for raising a revenue. 

" Gth. That it is the opinion of this meeting, the most 
olfectual means for obtaining a speedy repeal of the said acts 
will be to break of all commercial intercourse with Great 
Britain, Ireland, and theEughsh West Indies Colonies. 

"7th. And we do hereby declare ourselves ready to enter 
into these or such other measures as shall be agreed upon 
by a general Congress of all the Colonies ; and we do recom- 
mend to the general Congress to take such measures as shall 
be most effectual to prevent such goods as are at present in 
America from being raised to an extravagant price. 

"And lastly, We do choose and appoint Colonel Piatt 
Conkling, John Sloss Hobart, Esq., and Mr. Thomas Wicker 
for a committee for this town, to act in conjunction ^vith the 
committees of the other towns in the county as a general 
committee for the county to correspond with the commit- 
tee of Now York. 

[Signed] "Israel Wood, President.'' 

Orange Toicn (K Y.) Resolutions. 

" At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of Orange 
lown and Provmce, of New York, on Monday the 4th day 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 183 

of July, 1774, at the house of Mr. Yoast Mabie, in said town, 
the foUowinp;: resolves were agreed upon and passed, viz. : 

" 1st. That we are and ever wish to be true and loyal 
subjects of his Majesty George the Third, King of Great 
Britain. 

"2d. That we are most cordially disposed to support his 
Majesty and defend his Crown and dignity in every Consti- 
tutional measure as far as lies in our power. 

"3d, That however well disposed we are toward his Ma- 
jesty, we cannot see the late acts of Parlament imposing 
duties upon us, and the act for shutting up the port of Bos- 
ton, without declaring our abhorrence of measures so uncon- 
stitutional and big with destruction. 

" 5th. That it is our unanimous opinion that the stopping 
all exportation and importation to and from Great Britain 
and the West Indies would be the most effectual method 
to obtain a speedy repeal. 

" 6th. That it is our most ardent wish to see concord and 
harmony restored to England and her Colonies. 

"7th. That the following gentlemen, to wit: Colonel Abra- 
ham Lent, John Haring, Esq., Mr. Thomas Cutwater, Mr. 
Gardiner Jones, and Peter T. Haring, Esq., be a committee 
for this town to correspond with the city of New York, and 
to conclude and agree upon such measures as they shall 
judge necessary in order to obtain a repeal of said acts." 

Rye (New York) Resolutions. 

On the 10th of August, 1774, the freeholders and inhabit- 
ants of the township of Eye made choice of John Thom.as, 
Jr., James Horton, Jr., Esq., Bobert Bloomer, Zeno Car- 
penter, and Ebenezer Haviland for a committee to consult 
and determine, with the committees of the other towns and 
districts in the coimty of Westchester, upon the expediency 
of sending one or more Delegates to Congress, to be held in 
Philadelphia on the first day of September next. 

"Eesolved, 1st. That they think it their greatest hayjpiness 
to live under the illustrious house of Hanover, and that they 
will steadfastly nnd uniformly bear true faith and alleginnce 
to his Majesty King George the Third, under the enjoyment 
of their Constitutional rights and privileges as fellow-subjects 
with those in England. 

"2d. That we conceive it a fundamental part of the British 
Constitution that no man shall be taxed but by his own con- 
sent or that of his representatives in Parliament; and as we 
are by; no means represented, we consider all acts of Parlia- 
ment imposing taxes on the Colonies an undue exertion of 
power and subversion of one of the most valuable privileges 
of the English Constitution. 

"3d. That it is the opinion of this meeting that the act of 



184 THE Binrn of the republic. 

Parliament for the shutting up the port of Boston and di- 
vesting some of the inhabitants of private property is a most 
unparalleled, rigorous, and mijast piece of cruelty and des- 
potism, 

' ' 4th. That unanimity and firmness of measures in the Col- 
onics are the most effectual means to secure the invaded 
rights and privileges of America, and to avoid the impend- 
ing ruin which now threatens tliis once happy country. 

" 5th. That the most effectual mode of redressing our griev- 
ances will be by general Congress of Delegates from the dif- 
ferent Colonies; and that we are willing to abide by such 
measures as they in their wisdom shall consider necessary 
to be adopted on that important occasion. 

" By order of the Committee. 

"Ebenezer Haviland, Chairman.^'' 

Westchester (N. Y.) Resolutions. 

"At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the 
borough town of Westchester, in New York, the 20th day 
of August, 1774, 

"Resolved, 1st, That we do and will bear true allegiance to 
his Majesty George the Third, King of Great Britain, and ac- 
cording to the British Constitution. 

"2d. That we coincide in opinion with our friends in New- 
York and every other Colony, that all acts of the British 
Parliament imposing taxes on the Colonies, without their 
consent or by their representatives, are arbitrary and op- 
pressive, and should meet the abhorrence and destination of 
all good men; that they are replete with the purpose of 
creating animosities and dissensions between the mother- 
country and the Colonies, and thereby tend to destroy the 
harmony and mutual agreement which it is so much the in- 
terest of both to cherish and maintain. 

" 3d. That we esteem it our duty, and think it incumbent 
on all the Colonies in America, to contribute towards the re- 
lief of the poor and distressed people of Boston ; and that a 
person of this borough be appointed to collect such chari- 
table donations within the same as may be offered for their 
support." 

Palatine {Tryon County, N. Y.) Resolutions. 

Resolutions adopted by the inhabitants of Palatine dis- 
E"^;:.^/'^'*^" county, Noav York, at a meeting held August 

"3d. That we think it our undeniable privilege to be taxed 
only with our own consent, given by ourselves or our repre- 
sentativc=). > o .; f 

" That taxes otherwise laid and exacted are unjust and un- 
coustitulional. That the late acts of Parhament declarative 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 185 

of their ric^ht of laying intei'nal taxes on the American Colo- 
nies are obvious encroachments on the rights and liberties 
of the British subjects in America. 

" 4th. That the act for blocking up the port of Boston is op- 
pressive and arbitrary, injui-ious in its principles, and par- 
ticularly oppressive to the inhabitants of Boston, whom we 
consider brethi'en suffering in the common cause. 

"5th. That we will unite and join with the different dis- 
tricts of this county in giving whatever relief it is in our 
power, to the poor, distressed inhabitants of Boston ; and that 
we will join and unite with our brethren of the rest of this 
Colony in anything tending to support and defend our i-ights 
and liberties." 

Jamaica {N. Y.) Town Meeting. 

"At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of Ja- 
maica, in Queen's county, held in the Court-house on Tues- 
day the 6th December, 1774, 

"Resolved, 2d, That it is our undoubted right to be taxed 
only by our own consent, given by ourselves or our repre- 
sentatives; and that all acts made by the British Parlia- 
ment imposing taxes on the Colonies are unjust, unconstitu- 
tional, and a manifest infringement of our dearest and most 
valuable privileges. 

"5th. That we heartily sympathize with our brethi-en of 
Boston and the Massachusetts Bay, under their present un- 
exampled sufferings, and that we regard the acts of Parlia- 
ment under which they now groan as cruel, unjust, uncon- 
stitutional, and oppressive in the highest degree, levelled not 
only at them in particular, but at the liberties of the other 
Colonies, and the British Empire in general ; and that there- 
fore we think our aforesaid brethren, as sufferei-s in the com- 
mon cause, are entitled to the encoragement, compassion, 
and charitable assistance of all the friends of liberty and 
foes of oppression both in England and America. 

" Resolved, 6, That we do most gratefully acknowledge the 
diflScult and important services rendered to their country by 
the late general Congress held at Philadelphia, and that we 
do highly approve of the measures by them concerted for the 
public good of their constituents, and that we will use all 
prudent and constitutional endeavors to carry those measures 
into execution." 

Ulster County {N. Y.) Meeting. 

"At a meeting of a great number of the most respectable 
freeholders of the towns of Kingston, Hurley, Marbletown, 
Rochester, and New Paley, in the town of Hurley, in Ulster 
county. New York, on Friday, the 6th day of January, 1775, 
a committee of six being chosen, viz. : Colonel Johannes 



18G THE BIRTH OF TEE REPUBLIC. 

Hardenbergh, Captain John Elmendorpli, Adrian Wynkoop, 
Mattbew Contine, Johannes G. Hardenbergh, and Jacob 
Hasbrouck, Jr., Esqrs., of whom Colonel Johannes Harden- 
bergh was chosen chairman, — 

"Resolved, 1st, That it is the opinion of this meeting that 
we most heartily approve of the Association, and acquiesce 
in all the other measures entered into by the late general 
Congress, and we will use every means in our power to 
render them effectual ; and that it is recommended to the 
several towns and precincts within this county to choose 
committees to see the same faithfully observed and carried 
into execution. 

"A certain pamphlet entitled "Free Thoughts on the Re- 
solves of the Congress," etc., under the signature of A. W. 
Farmer, dated November 16, 1774, being then produced and 
publicly read, it was, — 

" Resolved, 2d, That it is replete with falsehoods artfully 
calculated to impose upon the illiterate and unthinking ; to 
frustrate the resolves of the Congress, and to destroy that 
union so necessary for the preservation of our constitutional 
liberty; therefore, — 

" Resolved, 3d, That the said pamphlet, in detestation and 
abhorrence of such infamous public^ations, be now burnt ; and 
that the authors, publishers, and circulators of such perform- 
ances be henceforth deemed the enemies of their country. 

"Resolved, 4th, That the chairman transmit copies of the 
above resolves to the Committee of Correspondence, for the 
several towns and precincts within this county. 

" Which resolves being read and unanimously approved, 
the above pamphlet was burnt accordingly. 

"Ordered likewise, That the resolves be printed." 

Hanover (N. Y.) Committee. 

At a meeting of the freeholders of the precinct of Hanover, 
in Ulster county, at the house of Mr. Ai'thur Parks, on Fri- 
day the 27th ot Januarj^ 1775, a committee of the following 
gentlemen being chosen, viz. : Charles Chnton, Alexander 
Trimble, Arthur Parks, Hendrick Smith, James Latta, Wil- 
liam Jackson, and Jacob Newkirk; Charles Clinton was 
chosen chairman, and the following resolves were made: 

" ' 1st. Resolved, That this meeting do unanimously ap- 
prove of the association, and gratefully rely on the wise and 
patriotic measures of the late Continental Congress, and 
that we will, to the utmost of our power, use every prudent 
measure to render them effectual; at the same time, that we 
will earnestly recommend to the respective towns and pre- 
cincts within this county to choose committees to act for 
their respective districts m conjunction with us.' 

A certain pamphlet entitled ' Free Thoughts on the Re- 



TS£) BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC!. 187 

solves of the Congress' being then exhibited and pubUcly 
read, it was 

" ' 2d, Eesolved, That it contains a false but specious show 
of reasoning, contrived only to induce the ignorant and 
credulous to counteract the resolves of the Congress, by dis- 
couraging that happy union that subsists among us for the 
preservation of our constitutional liberty.' 

" ' 3d, Resolved, That the said pamphlet, exemplary to all 
such guilty performances, be now publicly burnt, and that 
the authors and propagators of such performance be held in 
due contempt as enemies of their country.' 

'■ It was burnt accordingly. 

'■ Signed by order of the committee. 

"Charles Clinton, Chairman.'''' 

The Congress at Philadelphia having recommended non- 
impoi^tation, the committee of fifty-one, of New York, re- 
signed, and a new committee of sixty was appointed to 
execute the plan of Congress. Colden, December 7th, says 
that the moderate men in the committee were obliged to 
support the measures of Congress in order to save the city 
from destruction by the mob, — a pretty sure sign that the 
body of the people were in sympathy with that body. The 
Assembly held out against the ratification of the recommen- 
dations of the Continental Congress; and this fact served 
to delude Colden with the hope that the Province would 
remain firm in the support of the measures of the govern- 
ment; but there were other facts that he could not quite 
reconcile with this happy state of thine:s. On the 1st March, 
1775, he wrote to Dartmouth as follows: 

" It is surprising, my lord, that, notwithstanding the firm- 
ness with which the Assembly have discountenanced the 
measures of the late Congress, and the approbation this part 
of their conduct has received from a large majority of their 
constituents, the non-importion association of the Congress 
is ever rigidly maintained in this place. " 

This admission of the Lieutenant-governor proves that, 
when he says that a "large majority of the constituents" 
of the Assembly approved their rejection of the measures 
of Congress, he refers to the wealthy class of gentlemen; 
while there must have been a decided majority of the 
whole people in favor of the Congress measures. In the 
same letter he mentions other facts equally inconsistent 
with the statement that a majority of the people were op- 
posed to the measures of Congress. He says : ' ' Two vessels 
have arrived hero since the 1st of February. One of them, 
from Glasgow, has been obliged to depart with her cargo to 
Jamaica. Neither the master of the ship, nor the merchant 
to whom the cargo was consigned, would demand any assist- 
ance, or showed any disposition to have the goods landed. 
It was not therefore jDossible for government to interfere 



188 THE BIRTH OF THE REPVBUC. 

with any propriety. The second ship is from London; she 
still hes a few miles below the harbor, and, it is said, is to 
carry her cargo to Halifax. Neither the master or owners 
of tliis ship or cargo have made any application to govern- 
ment. The success, my lord, Avhich the violent party have 
had in preventing these vessels from landing their cargoes 
hero has given them great spirits, and is a strong counter- 
poise to the conduct of the Assembly. Your lordship will 
believe me, it has chagrined mo a good deal." 

These arc wretched excuses for permitting a mob to block- 
ade the harbor; and it would have shown more good sense 
as well as candor in Golden to have acknowledged himself 
utterly powerless to prevent the unlawful proceeding. But 
in his next two letters he had to confess that only the shadow 
of the British government remained in New York. The 
people feeling outraged at the course of the Assembly, 
elected a very full Provincial Congress, in which every 
county, except three very remote and inconsiderable ones, 
were represented. They proceeded to ratify the measures 
of the Continental Congress and to take the reins of local 
government into their hands. Golden attempts to explain 
the triumph cf the mob, as he styles the people, over the 
higher classes, by saying that a combination was formed in 
the other Colonies to crush and ruin New York if she refused 
to enter into their measures ; and that the news of the battles 
of Lexington and Concord so increased the enthusiasm of 
the people that the powers of government were completely 
prostrated. But the whole tenor of Golden's letters for the 
five preceding years shows that there was an irrepressible 
sympathy of all classes with the cause of Massachusetts, and 
that it was only held in check by the mingled terrorism and 
blandishments of the government. 

Early in June open appeals were made to the handful of 
British troops in the city to desert, and many of them did so. 
To put a stop to the desertion, it was determined to ship the 
troops on board a man-of-war. But so bold had become the 
riotei-s, and so feeble the government, that even this meas- 
ure could not be executed without insult and interruption. 
"As soon as the troops marched from the barracks," says 
Gulden, " several people began to harangue them, exhorting 
them to desei't, and assuring them of sufficient protection. 
Two or three fellows had the hardiness to turn off with their 
arms from the ranks, and were immediately carried away 
by the people." When the troops arrived at the water's 
edge, ready to embark, the mob seized and carried off all 
the ammunition and spare arms, and "the troops embarked 
without their baggage." 

On the lUh May, 1775, the "General Committee of Asso- 
ciation of New York sent an address to the Lieutenant- 
governor, in which the great cause for which the Colonies 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 189 

were struggling is stated with remarkable clearness and 
force. The following extracts will serve to convey a notion 
of the spirit and character of the address. In execution of 
the trust reposed in them by the people, the committee de- 
clare, — 

"That our constituents, while they cheerfully yield that 
the legislature of the parent-state may make provisions in 
their nature merely calculated to regulate the trade of the 
empire, yet they claim as their indefeasible birthright a total 
exemption from all taxes, internal and external, by author- 
ity of Parliament, and from every aid to the Crown but on 
royal requisition to their representatives in Assembly, con- 
stitutionally convened and freely dehberating and deter- 
mining upon every such requisition. 

" That they never can nor will submit to the establishment 
of unconstitutional admiralty jurisdiction; but will ever re- 
gard them as engines that may be employed for the most 
tyrannical purposes. 

" That they are determined never to part with their pre- 
cious and lately invaded right of trial by peers of their 
vicinage in any case whatsoever. 

" That they look with the utmost dread on every expe- 
dient, by authority of Parliament or otherwise, that may 
tend to secure from condign punishment offenders against 
the most essential rights of human nature, by removing 
them for their trial to places distant from the scene of per- 
petration, at the discretion of a governor or cominander-in- 
chief. 

" Tliat they esteem, and therefore will by every lawful 
means oppose, the late oppressive restraints upon commerce, 
as subversive in their nature of the liberties of America. 

"That they regard the hostile blockade of the port of Bos- 
ton, the attack upon the venerable Charter of Rights of Mas- 
sachusetts, the extension of the bounds of Quebec, the estab- 
lishment of popeiy, and an arbitrary form of government 
in that Province, and the exclusive privileges virtually 
given to it in tlie Indian trade, as so many steps of an ill- 
judging administration that most emmently endanger the 
Uberty and prosperity of the whole empire. 

"That they view with inexpressi'de horror the bloody 
standard erected m the eastern part of the Confedei'ated 
Colonies; and feel as in their own bodies every stroke which 
their brave compatriots have received from the hands of 
their fellow-subjects, ciaielly and unnaturally armed against 
them by mistaken Ministerial severity. 

" In short, that they are determined to equip themselves 
for maintaining with successful bravery and resolution, the 
unquestionable rights of Englishmen." 

The whole address is conceived in this manly spirit, while 
it is perfectly respectful to the Lieutenant-Governor, His 



100 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

reply is equally courteous, and evinces a conviction that a 
redress of the popular grievances was a prerequisite to the 
restoration of peace. It is due to Golden, and to Tryon, to 
say that they were both convinced of this fact, and that 
they had the candor to express the opinion in their com- 
munications with the government. 

In Tryon's letter to Earl Dartmouth, dated New York, 
July 4, 1775, he announces his return to the Colony in the 
follbwi'ns significant language : "I arrived in the Govern- 
ment the 25th of last month, with apparent satisfaction to 
The inhabitants of this city, and received the next morning 
the great seal of the Province, and the diminished authority 
the Lieutenant governor had to transfer to me. 

"The general revolt that has taken place in the Colonies 
has put his Majesty's civil Governors in the most degraded 
situation, left in the exercise of only such feeble executive 
powers as suits the present conveniences of the country, and 
this dependent on the caprice of a moment." 

In the same letter Trysoa sagaciously remarks : "If it 
were the wish, it is not in the power of any one Province to 
accommodate with Gi'cat Britain, being overawed and con- 
trolled by the general confederacy. Oceans of blood may 
be spilt, but in my opinion America will never receive Par- 
liamentary taxation. I do not meet with any of the inhabi- 
tants who show the smallest inclination to draw the sword 
in support of that principle. I apprehend, the extremity of 
calamity which threatens America will not induce her to 
accept." 

Three days later Tryon asks leave to return to England at 
his discretion, "it being very probable," he declares, "I 
may be either taken prisoner as a state hostage, or obliged 
to retire on board of his Majesty's ships of war, to avoid the 
insolence of an inflamed mob," etc. 

On the same date he writes that the Mayor and Corpora- 
tion had come to a resolution to present him an address ; but 
that they had been forbidden to do so by the Provincial 
Congress, and must yield. They, however, privately left 
with him a copy, to which he graciouslj' made a reply. But 
in his letter to Dartmouth ho says " That the intimidation 
and apprehension under which the Mayor and Corporation 
have acted on this occasion is a melancholy evidence of the 
impotence of his Majesty's officers and Ministers of Justice 
of this Province, and of the despotic power with which con- 
gresses and committees can control any body of people 
among the inhabitants of America." 

Tlie following is the polite admonition of the Congress to 
the Mayor and Corporation. It is admirable as an intimation 
of reserved power : 

"In Phovincial Congress, New York, | 
July 5. 1775. ( 

"This Congress, being informed that the Corporation of 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 191 

the city of New York intend to address his Excellency 
Governor Try on, 

" Eesolved, That though this Congress entertain the high- 
est respect for his Excellency, yet it will be altogether 
improper for the said corporation, or any other body corpo- 
rate or individuals in this Colony, to address his Excellency 
at this most critical juncture. Eesolved also. That one of 
the secretaries of this Congress do forthwith serve his Wor- 
ship the Mayor with a copy hereof.' 

' ' A true copy from the minutes, 

"RoBT. Benson, Secretary.'''' 

" The above copy of an order was served on me the day of 
the date thereof. 

•" Whitehead Hicks, Mayor.'"' 

On the 23d August, the citizens carried off twenty-one 
pieces of ordnance from the battery under Fort George, and 
ransacked the Governor's house in search of Captain Foy. 
Notwithstanding this and similar instances of rough treat- 
ment, Tryon became more fully persuaded that the Govern- 
ment of Great Britain should desist fi'om the policy of taxing 
America ; and that the Americans would never lay down 
their arras " unless they are called back by some liberal and 
conciliatory assurances." He seems to have been the only 
one ef the royal Governors who was capable of comprehend- 
ing the situation of affairs. " The Colonies have outgrown 
the government anciently set over them," said he, " which 
ought to rise in strength and dignity as they increase in 
wealth and popidation." These were the views of a states- 
man ; and if as much wisdom had ruled in the British Cabi- 
net as was sent to administer the local affairs of New York, 
the independence of America would have been postponed 
for a generation at least. 

On the 19th October, Governor Tryon left his residence in 
the city, and went on board a British vessel in the harbor, 
as a measure of security for his person. This was after a 
coiTespondence with the Mayor, in which he required a 
guaranty of security against arrest and insult as a condition 
of his remaining longer in the city. Both the Mayor and 
corporate authorities, and the committee, expressed an 
earnest desire for him to remain : but they failed to give him 
the positive assurance he demanded, and he therefore re- 
tired on board a ship under the protection of the Asia man- 
of-war. All the Cro>vn officers followed his example ; 
leaving the control of affairs entirely to the Provincial Con- 
gress. 

In November a general permission was sent from the 
King, through Earl Dartmouth, to the colonial Governors 
and King's officers, to leave their posts whenever their safety 
should demand the step. Most of them had acted on. this 
principle long before the permission arrived. 



192 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

Tlie followinp: "letter produced to the Continental Con- 
gress and the copy sent to this, in New York,' induced Tryon 
to desert the shore : 

"Tryon, with all hir, malignity of heart, is obliged to lay 
still as the four regiments are gone to Boston ; he is high 
in esteem with administration for his behavior at N. 
Carolina; his plan that he laid for enslaving his country 
when in England is not laid aside. It will be a capital 
stroke to secure Governor Tryon's person." 

The reference above is to Tryon's suppression of the Reg- 
ulators in North Carolina, which will be treated of in its 
projier place His extravagant expenditures while Gov- 
ernor of that Colony, and the corrupt practices of his sub- 
ordinates, provoked the revolt of the common people, under 
the name of Regulators. 

This narrative thus far, and much of that which follows, 
has been gathered from the copious New York historical 
collection made by Dr. O'Callaghan. Strange to say, with 
the most ample materials at hand, the histoiy of New York 
has never been written, except in meagre and fragmentary 
parts. As to the Colonial period, her histories, so far as I 
can find, are mere sketches. 

Meeting of Freeholders, etc., in New Windsor {Ulster 
County), New York: 

" March 14, 1775. 

" At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants 
of the precinct of New Windsor, in the county of Ulster 
and Province of New York, legally' convened by mutual con- 
sent in order to elect a Committee of Observation and de- 
hberato on other matters relative to our political welfare, 
this 14th day of March, 1775 ; then proceeded and chose 
Mr. George Denniston, chairman and the following persons 
for the above-named commit tee. viz. : Mr. George Denniston, 
i^Ir. Robert Cross, Mr. Joseph Belknap, Mr. Francis Mande- 
ville, Mr. Nuoc Shutts, and Mr. Ilezekiah Wliite ; after- 
wards did solemnly agree to and with each other in observ- 
ing the following resolutions ourselves, and, as far as our 
influence may extend, recommend them to the observation of 
others, viz. : 

" Resolved. 2dly, nem. con., Tliat we will yield to none in 
point of affection, and loyalty to our most gracious sover- 
eign, but will each one for himself, when thereto legally 
called (even though to the most distant and remote parts of 
lus_ Majesty's empire), venture our lives and properties in 
defence of our sovereign's person, familv, and government, 
wh.-n exercised on the above-named principles. It is with 
till' greatest regret and deepest concern of heart, we conceive 
a plan adopted and invariably pursued for a number of 
years past by the British Parliament for enslaving us hj 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 193 

levying? taxes on us without our consent, and declaring they 
(the Parhament) are fully vested with power to make laws 
obligatory on us in all cases whatsoever. 

"Resolved therefore, 3dly, nem. con., That such declara- 
tions and unbounded power assumed are subversive of our 
natural and legal rights as British subjects; and that we 
would be far deficient in point of duty to our King and the 
British Constitution were we to yield a tame submission to 
them. 

" But as the wisdom and prudence of the whole continent 
had been called forth in appointing and holding a Constitu- 
tional Congress in order to state our grievances and point 
out the means by which we may be relieved from them, 

"Resolved, 4thly, nem. con.. That we do sincerely and 
willingly accord to the Association entered into by that body, 
with a full determination to abide by and observe the same, 
and do unfeignedly thank our worthy Delegates of the Prov- 
ince of New York, in conjunction with the rest of that honor- 
able body, for the care they have taken for the secui'ity of 
our liberties, and the patriotic principles they have exhibited 
to the world, which will remain more sure and permanent 
in the annals of American history than monuments eitlier 
of brass or marble erected to the honor and perpetuity of 
their memory." 

ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK. 

" New York, May 4, 1775. 

"The following Association was set on foot here last 
Saturday, Aprd 29th, and has been transmitted for signing 
to all the counties in the Province, and signed by most of 
the men of this city : 

"Persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liberties 
of America depend under God on the firm union of its in- 
habitants in a vigorous prosecution of the measures neces- 
sary for its safety, and convinced of the necessity of prevent- 
ing the anarchy and confusion which attend a dissolution of 
the powers of government; we, the freemen, freeholders, 
and inhabitants of the city and county of Ne^v York, being 
greatly alarmed at the avowed design of the Ministry to 
■raise a revenue in America, and shocked by the bloody 
scene now acting in the Massachusetts Bay, do in the most 
solemn manner resolve never to become slaves; and do as- 
sociate under all the ties of religion, honor, and love of coun- 
try to adopt and endeavor to carry into execution whatever 
measures may be recommended by the Continental Congress, 
or resolved upon by our Provincial Convention, for the pui"- 
pose of preserving our Constitution and opposing the execu- 
tion of the sevei'al arbitrary and oppressive acts of the 
British Pai-liament, until a reconciliation between Great 
Britain and America on Constitutional principles (wliich we 



104 THE BIRTH OF TUB REPUBLIC. 

most ardently desire) can be obtained ; and that we will in 
all things follow the advice of our General Committee re- 
BDCcting the purposes aforesaid— the preservation of peace 
and good order, and the safety of individuals and private 
property." 

Cumberland County {N. Y.) Committee. 

"At a full meeting of the Delegates from the several towns 
in the county of Cumberland, Colony of New York, convened 
at Westminster, Juno G, 1775: 

" Tlie county of Cumberland, having received certain intel- 
ligence from Mr. Isaac Low, chairman of tbe Committee of 
Correspondence at New York, that it is the desire of the said 
respectable Committee of Correspondence of New York that 
the sense of the people in said county of Cumbei-land should 
be fully known with regard to the hostile measures that are 
using by the British Parhament to enforce the late cruel, 
unjust, and oppressive acts of said British Parliament 
through the British Colonies in America ; —we, the Delegatss 
from the several towns and districts in said county of Cum- 
berland, being chosen by the freeholders and inhabitants of 
the same to exhibit to the Provincial Congress the sense and 
voice of the people with regard to the unjust proceedings 
of the British Parliament, etc., do pass the following re- 
solves : 

"1st. Resolved, nem. con., That the late acts of the Briti-^jh 
Parliament passed in order to raise a revenue in America 
are unjust, illegal, and diametrically opposite to the Bill of 
Rights aud a fundamental principle of the British Constitu- 
tion which is ' that no person shall have his property taken 
from him without his consent.' 

"2 J. Resolved, nem. con.. That we will resist and oppose 
the said acts of Parliament, in conjunction with our brethren 
in America, at the expense of our lives and fortunes, to the 
last extremity, if oiir duty to God and our country requii-e 
the same. 

"3d. Resolved, nem. con., That we think it needless to 
pass many resolves exhibiting our sentiments with regard 
to the unhappy controversy subsisting bel ween Great Britain 
and America. Let it sufHce, therefore, that wo fullv ac- 
quiesce with what our brethren have lately done at"^New 
York in their late Association ; and it is hereby resolved. That 
the late Association entered into at New York is perfectly 
agrwiible to the sentiments of tlie freeholders and inhabitant s 
ot this county, and that they fully acquiesce in the same." 

Brookhavcn {New York) Committee. 
•'At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of 
the town of Brookhaven, iu the county of Suffolk and 
Provmcc of New York, on the 8th day of June, 1775: Then 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 195 

by a large majority of votes were chosen and elected sixteen 
persons as a Committee of Observation to represent said 
town, and to deliberate on other matters relative to our 
present political welfare. 

" Agreed that the last Tuesday in Jvme be appointed as a 
day for the above-named committee to meet." 

"Then proceeded and chose John Woodhull, Esq., chair- 
man, and Mr. Samuel Thompson, clerk, and entered into 
the following votes and resolutions: 

" 1st. Eesolved, nern. con., That we express our loyalty to 
his Majesty Kins; George the Third, and acknowledge him 
as our rightful lord and sovereign, as settled on Revolu- 
tionary principles, being of legal descent from the illustrious 
house of Brunswick, to the utter exclusion of the fam.ily of 
the Stuarts, who by their despotic and tyrannical principles 
were deservedly banished and rendered unfit to sway the 
British sceptre. 

"2d. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee 
that the above resolution was the opinion of the Continental 
Congress that sat last year, and is also the opinion of the 
Continental Congress and our Provincial Congress now sit- 
ting; and that it is also the opinion of very far the greater 
part of English inhabitants of this most extensive continent. 

"3d. Resolved unanimously, That it is the opmion of this 
committee that the several acts passed in the British Parlia- 
ment for the express purpose of raising a revenue in America ; 
also the acts for stopping the port of Boston, for altering 
their charter and government, for establishing the Roman 
Catholic religion, and abolishing the equitable system of 
English laws, and erecting in their stead French despotic 
government in Canada ; as also the act for restraining the 
New England fishery, and many other acts of a similar nat- 
ure; and further declaring they have power vested in them 
to make laws binding on us in all cases whatsoever, — are con- 
trary to the Constitution and subsersive of our legal rights 
as English freemen and British subjects. 

"4th. Resolved, nem. con.. That we will use our utmost 
endeavors as far as in us lie, and we will earnestly recom- 
mend it to our constituents strictly and invariably to abide 
by and adhere to the determinations and resolutions of the 
honorable the Continental Congress and also strictly to 
comply with the injunctions of our Provincial Convention, 
which (under God), we hope is the most effectual means to 
obtain a redress of our present public grievances, and save 
us from impending ruin. 

"A Committee of Correspondence was also appointed by 
the Assembly, which approved of a general Congress." 

The mechanics were organized into an association, and it 
was found expedient to consult their views and wishes. 

On the 6th July, 1774, a public meeting was held in the 



196 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

" Fields," which favored more vigorous measures than those 
proposed by the committee. Eesolutions were adopted 
which denounced the Boston Port Bill as "oppressive to the 
inliabitants of the town, unconstitutional in its principles, 
and dangei-ous to the liberties of British America/' They 
also resolved in favor of non-intercourse, and in favor of 
sending relief to the distressed inhabitants of Boston. This 
meeting was presided over by Alexander McDougall, whom 
Lieutenant-governor Colden styled the John Wilkes of 
America. Though a member of the committee, he was too 
radical for that body, and this meeting was called without 
its approbation and disapproved of. The other members of 
the committee who participated in this meeting in tlie 
" Fields,"— the Bowery— were Francis Lewis, Joseph Hal- 
lett, P. V. B. Livingston, Isaac Sears, Thomas Randall, 
Abraham P. Lott, and Leonard Lispenard. They withdrew 
from the Committee; and were joined in this step by three 
other members who were not present, viz. : John Browne, 
Abraham Brosher, and Jacobus van Zandt. 

Notwithstanding this schism, all parties agreed in sending 
the same five Delegates to Philadelphia, who were pledged 
to vote for non-importation. 

The committee, at a meeting on May 8, 1775, denounced as 
enemies all who shall sell arms to persons who are not 
friends to the rights of the Colony. They also required a 
regidar return of all arms on hand or to be purchased. 

The Delegates in the Continental Congress were not au- 
thorized to assent to a Declaration of Independence, on the 
4th of July, 1776, but authority was promptly given when 
the fact was made known to the convention of the Colony, 
sitting in New York City, July 9th. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

No Colony displayed more gratitude to the King and Par- 
liament when news of the repeal of the Stamjo Act was re- 
ceived, than Pennsylvania, as has been seen in a preceding 
chapter; but when tliat repeal was followed up by a declar- 
ation of the right of the Parliament to bind the Colonics 
"in all cases whatsoever," and by the practical assertion of 
that claim by the passage of the tax on paper, glass, tea, 
and other articles, she was as prompt and as spontaneous in 
her opposition as the foremost of her sisters. 

On the 20th February, 1768, the Assembly instructed their 
agents in London "to co-operate with the agents of the 
other Colonies in any decent and respectful application to 
Parliament, in case such application should he made by 
thorn, for a repeal of the late acts imposing duties on the im- 
portation of paper, glass, etc., into the American Provinces; 
which act, they said, was looked upon as highly injurious 
to the rights of the people and their commercial interest." 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 197 

"In September of the following year," says Gordon, "the 
Governor laid before them a letter from the Earl of Hills- 
borough, lately appointed to the new oflSce of Secretary to 
the Colonies, denouncing the circular [of the Massachusetts 
Assembly, which remonstrated against the new act for tax- 
ing the Colonies] as of the most dangerous and factious 
tendency, calculated to inflame the minds of the Colonists, 
promote unwarrantable combinations, excite and encourage 
open opposition to and denial of the authority of Parlia- 
ment, and to subvert the true princiiDles of the Constitution. 
He was commanded ' to use his utmost influence to defeat 
this flagitious attempt to disturb the public peace by pre- 
vaihng upon the Assembly of his Province to take no notice 
of it, thereby treating it with the contempt it deserved.' 
The repeated proofs, continued the Secretary, ' which the 
Assembly of Pennsylvania had given of their reverence and 
respect for the Constitution, left no doubt of their showing 
a proper resentment of this unjustifiable attempt to revive 
those distractions which have operated so fatally to the 
prejudice of the kingdom and CoJonies.' But, should it be 
otherwise, and a disposition appear in the Assembly to coun- 
tenance this siditious paper, the Governor was further com- 
manded to prorogue and dissolve them — a command which 
could be executed by the abrogation of their Charter only. 
Immediately after the letter had been read, Mr. Galloway, 
the speaker, laid before the house a circular from the As- 
sembly of Virginia, recapitulating the grievances and agree- 
ments of Massachusetts, and recommending a union of the 
Colonies in opposition to the measures having an immediate 
tendency to enslave them, by which means they anticipated 
the re-establishment of the Constitution upon its genuine 
principles. 

" This recommendation was adopted by the Assembly, 
and a committee appointed to prepare petitions to the King, 
and upper and lower Houses of Parhament. And that no 
mistake might exist in regard to their sentiments on the 
letter of the Earl of Hillsborough, they resolved, ' That, by 
their Charter and laws, they had a right to sit on their own 
adjournments ; and that the Governor had no constitutional 
authority to prorogue or dissolve them; and that it was 
their undoubted right to correspond with the representatives 
of the freemen, of any of his Majesty's Colonies in America, 
relative to gi'ievances which might affect the general welfare 
of the Colonies, in order to obtain, by decent petitions to 
his Majesty and his Parliament, redress of such grievances." 

The petitions to the King and Parliament. Mr. Gordon 
suggests, were probably written by Mr. Allen, who was the 
representative from Cumberland, and Chief Justice. " Our 
ancestors," say the petitioners, in their address to the King, 
"near a century past, with a view of enjoying that liberty, 



198 THE BIBTJI OF THE UEPUBLia 

both cvn\ and religious, of which they were in a great meas- 
ure deprived in their native land, to extend the empire of 
the British dominions, to increase its commerce, and pro- 
mote its wealth and power before the accession of your Ma- 
jesty's iUustrious house to the British throne, removed from 
the mother-country to the Province of Pennsylvania, then a 
wilderness. The disadvantages, dangers, and distresses nec- 
essarily attendant upon this separation from their friends and 
relatives, and the land of their nativity, we trust must ap- 
pear to vour Majesty's wisdom too evident to need a repe- 
tition ; and yet, with inexpressible labor, toil, and expense, 
and without the least assistance from the parent-state, they 
and then- descendants, by their pi'udence and strict economy, 
have peopled, planted, and improved that wilderness into 
an extensive and heretofore flourishing Colony, and thereby 
greatly added to the commerce and wealth of the nation, 
and to the power and dignity of your Majesty's empire. 

"While thus contributing to the welfai-e of the mother- 
state, and struggling with innumerable difficulties to enlarge 
its dominions, we most humbly conceive that your Majes- 
ty's faithful subjects of this Province have, by no act what- 
ever, surrendered up or forfeited those constitutional rights 
and liberties which were inseparably annexed to their persons 
as natural-born subjects of the British Government; but, on 
the contrary, that those rights, brought over by our ances- 
cestors to this land, are now vested in their descendants as 
an inheritance the most important and valuable, on the en- 
joympnt whereof their future safety and happiness depend." 

" Thus possessed of the rights of Englishmen derived to 
them from the most excellent Constitution, and under a firm 
persuasion that the enjo3-ment and full exercise thereof 
would be continued down to your people of this Colony, and 
their latest posterity, it is with inexpressible concern and 
anxiety that we find ourselves under the necessity of repre- 
senting to your Majesty that certain duties and taxes for 
tlie sole purpose of raising a revenue have been imposed by 
Parliament on your Majesty's American subjects, although 
they have no representative or voice in that most respecta- 
ble and august body. That this taxation, we most humbly 
apprehend, is destructive of those rights and that freedom 
which they are by birth entitled to as men and Englishmen, 
who cannot be legally taxed, either by the principles of 
equity or the Constitution, but by themselves or legal repre- 
sentatives; and that, should this law remain unrepealed, 
and the Commons of Great Britain exercise in future the 
power of gi-anting the property of your Majesty's American 
siibjects without their consent, and without having any 
Constitutional opportunity of being informed of their true 
cireunistancos and ability to bear such taxation, which their 
Bituatiun and distance from the mother-country render im- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 199 

practicable, your faithful people of these Colonies will pos- 
sess nothing which they can call their own — all security of 
property will be lost." 

The modification of the revenue act by the repeal of all 
the duties except that on tea was far from satisfying the 
Colonies, since the right to tax was still asserted. The no7i- 
importation and non-consumption agreements of the Colo- 
nists as to tliis article, imported from Great Britain, effec- 
tually nullified the act; and for some years there was a 
cessation of political excitement on the subject, until the 
arrival of the East India Company's cargoes of tea, in the 
latter part of 1773. precipitated the conflict. 

But the " Assembly of Pennsylvania renewed their protest 
against the revenue act," says Gordon, '* after its modifica- 
tion, as a precedent for futui'e oppression; and they in- 
structed their agent, Dr. Franklin, to oppose whatever 
might affect the liberties of America or the rights of the 
Province, and, more especially, any plan which mip:ht be 
proposed for an American representation in Parhament." 

"The conduct of the Pennsylvanians was prompt, bold, 
yet temperate. At a meeting of the inhabitants of Phila- 
delphia, held on the eighteenth of October, 1773, it was re- 
solved, — 

"That the disposal of their own propei'ty is the inherent 
right of freemen; that there can be no property in that 
which another can of right take from us without our con- 
sent: that the claim of Parliament to tax America is, in 
other words, a right to levy contributions on us at pleasure; 

" That the duty imposed by Parhament on tea landed in 
America is a tax on the Americans, or levying contribu- 
tions on them without their consent; 

'• That the express purpose for which the tax is Levied on 
the Americans— namely, for the support of the Government, 
administration of justice, and defence of his Majesty's 
dominions in America — has a direct tendency to render 
Assemblies useless, and to introduce arbitrary government 
and slavery; 

" That a virtuous and steady opposition to this Ministerial 
plan of governing America is absolutely necessary to pre- 
serve even the shadow of liberty, and is a duty which 
every freeman in America owes to his country, to himself, 
and to posterity ; 

"That the resolution lately entered into by the East India 
Company, to send out their tea to America, subject to the 
payment of duties on its being landed here, is an open 
aotemj)t to enforce this IMinisterial plan and a violent attack 
on the liberties of Ameinca; 

"That it is the duty of every American to oppose this 
attempt ; 

"That whoever shall directly or indirectly countenance 



200 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

this attempt, or in any wise aid or abet in unloading, re- 
ceiviuK or vending the tea sent or to be sent out by the 
East India Company, while it remains subject to the pay- 
ment of a duty here, is an enemy to his country • 

"That a committee be immediately chosen to wait on 
those gentlemen, who, it is reported, are appointed by the 
East India Company to receive and sell said tea, and re- 
quest them, from a regard to their own characters and the 
peace and good order of the city and province, immediately 
to resign their appointment." 

" Philadelphia, Monday, June 13, 1774. 

"On Thursday evening last, June 9th, about twelve hun- 
dred mechanics of this city and suburbs assembled at the 
Slate-house to hear a letter read from the mechani'^s of the 
city of New York, and to form such resohitions as should 
be 'judged proper for their future conduct at this most 
alarming and critical time when American liberty is so 
deeply wounded, and her rights so unjustly invaded by 
levying taxes on us, without our consent, for the purpose of 
raising a revenue; and for refusing payment of those iUegal 
taxes; blocking up with divers ships of war the port and 
town of Boston, thereby most unjustly depriving that once 
flourishing town of its whole trade, the inhabitants of their 
private property, and the laboring poor of the means of 
subbisting themselves and families. These proceedings of 
the parent -state against her American children call aloud 
upon all Americans to assemble, consult, and determine 
firmly to pursue such measures for their own and neighbors' 
future security as shaU be judged most likely to avert the 
present calamity, and secure to them the perfect enjoy- 
ment of their hberties and properties upon a fixed and last- 
ing foundation; for which purpose the mechanics of this 
city did propose and intend at this meeting to form such 
resolutions to co-operate with the committee of merchants, 
and to strengthen their hands, as will convince the world 
Americans were born and determined to live free, and that 
they never will be slaves; that liberty is their bii'thright, 
—they cannot, they will not, give it up." 

Lancaster (Pemi.) Resolutions. 

"At a meeting of the inhabitants of the borough of Lan- 
caster, at the Court-house in said borough, on Wednesday 
the 15th day of June, 1774, 

" Agreed , That, to preserve the Constitutional rights of the 
inhabitants of America, it is incumbent on every Colony to 
unite, and use the most effectual means to prociire a repeal 
of the late acts of Parliament a gainst the town of Boston ; 

That the act of Parhament for blocking up the port and 
harbor of Boston is an invasion of the rights of the inhabi- 



TBSl BIBTn OF THE REPUJBLIO. 201 

tants of the said town as subjects of the Crown of Great 
Britam; that it is the opinion of the inhabitants of this 
meeting that the most proper and effectual means to be 
used to obtain a repeal of the said act will be to put an 
immediate stop to all imports and exports to and from Great 
Britain until the same act be repealed; that the traders 
and inhabitants of this town will join and concur with the 
patriotic merchants, manufacturers, tradesmen, and free- 
holders of the city and county of Philadelphia, and other 
parts of the Province, in the association of solemn agree- 
ment to this purpose, if it shall be by them thought necessary. " 

City and County of Philadelphia (Penn.) Resolutions. 

At a very large and respectable meeting of the freeholders 
and freemen of the city and county of Philadelphia, in the 
province of Pennsylvania, held on Saturday, June 18, 1774, 

T. WilHng and John Dickinson, chairmen : 

"Resolved, 1st. That the act of Parliament for shutting 
up the port of Boston is unconstitutional, oppressive to the 
inhabitants of that town, dangerous to the liberties of the 
British Colonies, and that therefore we consider our breth- 
ren at Boston as suffering in the common cause of America. 

"2d. That a congress of deputies from the several Colo- 
nies in North America is the most probable and proper mode 
of procuring relief for our suffering brethren, obtaining re- 
dress of American grievances, securing oiu' rights and liber- 
ties, and re-establishing peace and harmony between Great 
Britain and these Colonies on a Constitutional foundation. 

" 3d. That a large and respectable committee be immedi- 
ately appointed for the city and county of Philadelphia, to 
correspond with the sister-Colonies, and with the several 
counties in this Province, in order that all may unite in pro- 
moting and endeavoring to attain the great and valuable 
ends mentioned in the foregoing resolutions." 

Chester County (Penn.) Resolutions. 

At a meeting of a respectable body of the freeholders, 
inhabitants of the county of Chester, on Saturday the 18th 
of June, 1774, the following resolutions were deliberately 
and unanimously agreed on, viz. : 

" 1. That it is an absolute right, inherent in every English 
subject, to have the free use, enjoyment, and disoposal of all 
his property, either by himself or his representatives; and 
that no other power on earth can legally divest himself 
of it. 

"2d. That we apprehend the act of Parliament for shut- 
ting up the port of Boston (until his Majesty's duties be duly 
collected, etc.) is highly arbitrary and oppressive to the in- 



202 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

habitants of that town, and in its consequence may en- 
danger the Uberties of all the British Colonies in America. 

"3d. That the two bills mentioned in the last advices 
from London to be passing in Parliament, one changing the 
chartered Constitution of the Province of Massachusetts 
Bay into a miUtary government, and the other empowering 
the Governor or Lieutenant-governor to send any person 
or persons to England to be tried for actions committed in 
that Colony, are subversive of every idea of liberty, and 
serve as a prelude to the fate of each chartered British 
Colony on this continent." 

"4th. That a Congress of Deputies from the said Colonies 
is the probable and proper mode of procuring relief for our 
suffering brethren, obtaining redress, and preserving our 
natural rights and Uberties, and the establishing peace and 
mutual confidence betv/een the mother-country and her 
Colonies on a Constitutional foundation." 

Northampton County (Pa.) Resolutions. 

" At a meeting of the justices, the gentlemen of the bar. 
Grand Jury, and principal inhabitants of the county of 
Northampton, held at Easton on the 21st day of June, 1774, 

" George Taylor, Esq., in the chair, 

" It being considered that it was necessary for all the 
counties of this Province to join with their brethren of 
Philadelphia in expressing their sentiments upon the present 
interesting occasion relative to the oppressive acts of Parlia- 
ment lately passed in Great Britain, tending to destroy the 
liberties of North America, it was unanimously resolved as 
follows : 

"1st. That the act of Parliament for shutting up the 
port of Boston is an act of the liighest oppression and a vio- 
lation of the liberties of America. 

"2d. That as we consider the inhabitants of the said 
town as suffering in the common cause of American free- 
dom, we will assist them to obtain redress by every legal act 
in our power. 

"3d. That it is our opinion the most constitutional and 
effectual method for obtaining such redress is by having a 
general Congress of committees, to be composed and chosen 
out of the members of the different Assemblies of each 
Colony." 

Pennsylvania Convention. 

"At a Provincial Meeting of Deputies chosen by the 
several counties in Pennsylvania, held at Philadelphia, Fri- 
day, July 1.5, 1774, and continued bv adjournments from 
day to day. Agreed, That, in case of any difference in senti- 
ment, the question be determined by the Deputies voting by 
counties. The letters from Boston of the 13th of May were 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 203 

then read, and a short account given of the steps taken in 
consequence thereof, and the measures now i^ursuiug in this 
and the other neighboring Provinces. After which the fol- 
lowing resolves were passed : 

"Unanimously, 1, That we acknowledge ourselves, and 
the inhabitants of this Province, liege subjects of his 
Majesty King George the Third, to whom they and we owe 
and will bear true and faithful allegiance. 

" Unanimously, 2, That, as the idea of an unconstitutional 
independence on the parent-state is utterly abhorrent to our * 
principles, we view the unhappy differences between Great 
Britain and the Colonies with the deepest distress and anxiety 
of mind, as fruitless to her, grievous to us and destructive 
of the best interests of both. 

"Unanimously. 3, That it is therefore our ardent desire 
that our ancient harmony w-ith the mother-country should 
be restored, and a perpetual love and union subsist between 
us, on the principles of the Constitution, and an interchange 
of good offices, without the least infraction of our mutual 
rights. 

"Unanimously, 4, That the inhabitants of these Colonics 
are entitled to the same rights and liberties within these 
Colonies that the subjects born in England are entitled to 
within that reahn. 

"Unanimously, 5, That the power assumed by the Parlia- 
ment of Great Britain to bind the people of these Colonies 
'by statutes in all cases whatsoever' is unconstitutional, 
and therefore the source of these unhappy difTcrenccs. 

"Unanimously, 6, That the act of Parliament for shutting 
up the port of Boston is unconstitutional, oppressive to the 
inhabitants of that town, dangerous to the liberties of the 
British Colonies, and therefore that we consider our breth- 
ren at Boston as suffering in the common cause of these 
Colonies. 

"Unanimously, 7, That the bid for altering the adminis- 
tration of justice in certain criminal cases within the Pro- 
vince of Massachusetts Bay, if passed into an act of Parlia- 
ment, will be as unconstitutional, oppressive, and dangerous 
as the act above mentioned. 

"Unanimously, 8, That the bill for changing the Consti- 
tution of the Province of Massachusetts Bay established by 
charter and enjoyed since the grant of that charter, if 
passed into an act of Parliament, will be unconstitutional 
and dangerous in its consequence to the American Colonies. 
"Unanimously, 9, That there is an absolute necessity that 
a Congress of Deputies from the several Colonies be im- 
mediately assembled, to consult together and form a general 
plan of conduct to be observed by all the Colonies for the 
purpose of procuring relief for our suffering brethren, ob- 
taining redress of our grievances, preventing future dis- 



204 TBE BIRTH OF TUB REPUBLIC. 

sonsions. firmly establishing our rights and restoring har- 
mony between Great Britain and her Colonies on a Consti- 
tutional foundation. 

"Unanimously, 10, That, although a suspension of the 
commeri-e of this large trading Province with Gi^eat Britain 
would greatly distress multitudes of our industrious in- 
habitants, yet that sacrifice and a much gi-eater we are 
ready to offer for the preservation of our liberties; but in 
tenderness to the people of Great Britain, as well as of this 
countiy, and in hopes that our just remonstrances will at 
length reach the ears of our gracious sovereign and be no 
longer treated with contempt by any of our fellow-subjects 
in England, it is our earnest desire that the Congress should 
first try the gentler mode ot stating our grievances and 
making a firm and decent claim of redress. 

"11, "Resolved, by a great majority. That yet, notwith- 
standing, as an unanimity of counsels and measures is indis- 
pensably necessary for the common welfare, if Congress 
shall judge agreements of non-importation and non-exporta- 
tion expedient, the people of this Province will join with 
the other principal and neighboring Colonies in such an 
association of non importation from and non-exportation to 
Great Britain as shall be agreed at the Congress." 

"Assembly of Pennsylvania, ) 
July 23, 1774. ( 

"Ordered, That the resolve of the Committee of the Whole 
be received immediately. Mr. Ehodes then (according to 
order) reported the saidf resolve, which he first read in his 
place, and then delivered at the clerk's table, where the said 
resolve was again read by order, and follows in these words, 
viz. : The Committee of the Whole House, taking into their 
most serious consideration the unfortunate differences which 
have long subsisted between Great Britain and the American 
Colonies, and been greatly increased by the operation and 
effects of divers late acts of the British Parliament, — 

" 'Resolved, N. C. D., That there is an absolute necessity 
that a Congress of Deputies from the several Colonies be 
hekl, as soon as conveniently may be, to consult together 
upon the present unhappy state of the Colonies, and to form 
and adopt a plan for the purposes of obtaining redress of 
American grievances, ascertaining American rights upon 
the most sohd Constitutional principles, and for estabhsbing 
tliat imion and harmony between Great Britain and the 
Colomes which is indispensably necessary for the welfare 
and liappiness of both.' 

" The House resumed the consideration of the resolve from 
the Committee of the Whole House, and, after some debate 
tbereon, adopted and confirmed the same." 



THE BIRTU OF THE BEPUBLW. 205 

PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION. 

Proceedings of the convention for the Province of Penn- 
sylvania, held at Philadelphia, January 23, 1775, and con- 
tinued by adjournments to the 28th : 

" Eesolved unanimously, That this convention most heart- 
ily approve of the conduct and proceedings of the Continental 
Congress ; that we will faithfully endeavor to carry into ex- 
ecution the measures of the association entered into and re- 
commended by them ; and that the members of that very 
"respectable body merit our warmest thanks by their great 
and disinterested labours for the preservation of the rights 
and hberties of the British Colonies. 

' ' Thursday, December 8, 1774. 

"The members deputed in behalf of this Province to at- 
tend the general Congress held at the city of Philadelphia 
in September and October last, presented to the chair a 
printed journal of the resolutions and proceedings of the 
said Congress, together with a report in writing, which 
latter was read by order, and follows in these words, viz. : 

" * We, the committee appointed on the part of this Prov- 
ince by the late and present Houses of Representatives to at- 
tend the Congress of deputies from the several Colonies, beg 
leave to report the performance of that service as contained 
in a journal ofthat Congress here with delivered, which we 
humbly submit to the consideration of the House : 

" ' Edward Biddle, 
Chas. Humphreys, 
John Dickinson, 
John Morton, 
Thomas Mifflin, 

"Philadelphia December 8, 1774. 

" Ordered, That the reading and consideration of the jour- 
nal of the proceedings of the general Congress be deferred 
till to-morrow. 

" Friday, December 9, 1774. 

" The House proceeded in the consideration of the resolu- 
tions of the Congress, and, after some debate, ordered that 
the further consideration thereof be deferred till to-morrow 
morning. 

" Saturday, December 10, 1774. 

"The House, agreeable to the order of yesterday, taldng 
into consideration the report of the committee appointed to 
attend the general Congress, and the papers therein referred 
to, — 

"Resolved unanimously, That this House approve the 
proceedings and resolves of the Congress, and do most seri- 
ously recommend to the good people of this Province a strict 
attention to and an inviolable observation of the several 



200 THE BUiTII OF THE REPUBLIC. 



inattcra and things contained in the journal of the Congress. 
Upon motion, 
"Ordered 1 
made pubUc." 



Upon motion, . , ^- i. • a- ^ ^ 

Ordered That the foregoing resolution be immediately 



Newtown (Bucks County), Pa., | 
"January 16, 1775. f 

" A large majority of the committee chosen in said county 
on the 15th of December last, in pursuance of notice for that 
purpose given, this day assembled in said town and unani- 

mou.sly chose -, t i r^i ^ ^ 

" Joseph Hart, Esq., chairman, and John Chapman, clerk. 

" The committee, toen taking into consideration the meas- 
ures recommend by the Continental Congress for the re- 
dress of American grievances, entered into the following re- 
solves unanimously: 

" 1st. That we highly approve of the pacific measures re- 
commended by the Continental Congress for the redress of 
American ecrievanees, and do hereby render our unfeigned 
thanks to the worthy gentlemen who composed that august 
assembly, for the faithful discharge of the trust reposed in 
them. 

" 2d. That we hold ourselves bound, in justice to ourselves, 
our posterity, our King, and our country, strictlj; to observe 
and Keep the association of said Congress, especially as it is 
recommended to us by the united voice of our representatives 
in Assembly, and, as a committee, will use our utmost en- 
deavors to have it carried into execution. 

' ' 3d. That we hold it as our bounden duty , both as Christians 
and as countrj-men, to contribute towards the relief and sup- 
port of the poor inhabitants of the town of Boston now suffer- 
ing in the general cause of all the Colonies ; and we do hereby 
recommend the raising of a sum of money for that purpose, 
to every inhabitant or taxable in this county, as soon as pos- 
sible." 

Chester County (Pa.) Committee. 

March 20, 177.5. 

"Pursuant to adjournment and public notice given, the 
onimittec of Chester County met at the house of Richard 
C'lieyney, in East Coin. 

" On motion, ordered. That Mr. Hocldey, Mr. Johnston, 
Mr. Grenow, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Frazer, Mr." Moore, and Mr. 
Taylor be and they are hereby appointed a committee to 
e«say a draft of a petition to present to the general Assem- 
bly of this Province, with regard to the manumission of 
slaves: especially relating to the freedom of infants here- 
after liorn of black women within this Colony ; and do make 
report of the same to this committee at their next meeting. 

" On motion, ordered. That each member in this commit- 
tee will use his utmost diligence in collecting the several 
sums of mouey subscribed for the use of Boston, and pay 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPTTBLIG. 207 

the same into the hands of Anthony Wayne, Esq., treasurer, 
at the next meeting of this committee." 

" ' CoininUtee of Yorktown, York County, Iku/i., to John Hancock and Thomas 
Gushing: 

" ' ToRKTOWN, April 13, 1775. 

" ' Honoured Friends and Countrymen: Sorry are we to 
hear that the hand of oppression still bears hard on your 
city, and that the distresses of your poor are not yet allevi- 
ated. If your misfortunes and sufferings could be divided, 
the inhabitants of tliis county would cheerfully bear a part. 
This, it seems, cannot be done ; your destined town must 
stand the shock alone. We want words to express the high 
sense we have of your conduct and virtue ; few men in the 
world would have opposed despotism and stood the torrent 
of Ministerial despotism with so much steadiness, intrepidity, 
and resolution as the inhabitants of your town and county 
have done. You have true notions of liberty. You have 
purchased it. You ought to enjoy it. The noble stand 
made by the Province of Massachusetts Bay, if faithfully 
adhered to, has laid tiie foundation for establishing Ameri- 
can liberty on the most firm basis. The other Colonies will 
be equally gainers by a favorable determination of the con- 
test, and will not desert you in the time of danger; they will 
doubtless grant you the most effectual assistance. 

" 'This county, upon the earliest intelligence of your dis- 
tress, forwarded subscriptions for the poor of Boston. Grain 
was generally subscribed ; we expected to have sent it last 
fall, but could not collect it at any seaport before the winter 
season came on ; so that the shipping of it was postponed 
till the spring. Ui^on the meeting of the committee of this 
county in February last, shortly after the receipt of the King's 
speech to the Parliament, it was thought that it would not 
be safe to send grain. The committee therefoi'e determined 
to convert the grain into cash, and remit the same in specie 
or bills of exchange to you. Your poor have suffered much 
by this resolvition, as the px'ice of wheat is greatly fallen. 
The subscriptions of but a part of the county have yet come 
in. We send you the sum of £24G 8s. lOd., to be remitted to 
you in bills of exchange or specie, by Messrs. Jonathan B. 
Smith and John Mitchell, merchants, of Philadelphia, which 
be pleased to distribute among our poor and unhappy coun- 
trymen in your town, or in its neighborhood, in such man- 
ner as you shall think proper. As there are a few disaf- 
fected people in this Province, we must trouble you to 
publish the receipt of the donations as is mentioned in the 
inclosed paper. Your friends hero are numerous, and most 
heartily interested themselves in your favor. As soon as 
the rest of the subscriptions in this county are paid, we 
shall cheerfully remit the same to you. 

" ' We wish you a speedy relief from all your sufferings, 



2(»S TUB BIRTU OF THE REPUBLIC. 

and are, gentlemen, with the greatest respect, your real 
friends and most obedient humble servants, 
" ' James Smith, Pres. Com. ; 
" ' Geo. Eichelberger, Geo. Fuvin, 

David Grier, Jos. Donaldson, 

lilichacl Dowdle, ]\Iichael Schmyser, 

Michael Swope, Balzard Spangler, 

Peter Eeel, John Hay. 

Thomas Hartley, 

" ' Committee of Correspondence of York County. 
•' ' To John Hancock and Thomas Gushing, Esqrs., commit- 
tee for receiving and distributing the donations for the poor 
of Boston. ' " 

" Pennstltania Assembly, I 
May 4, 1775, J 

" The House met pursuant to adjournment. The commit- 
tee appointed to prepare and bring in a draft of an answer 
to the Governor's message, reported an essay for that pur- 
pose, which, being read by paragraphs, and, after some 
alteration, agreed to by the House, was ordered to be trans- 
cribed. The answer of the Hotise to Governor's message, 
being transcribed according to order, was again read, signed 
bj^ the speaker, and follows as in these words, viz. :' 

" ' May it Please Your Honour: We have taken into our 
serious consideration your message of the second instant, 
and the resolution of the British House of Commons therein 
referred to. 

"'Having "weighed and considered this plan with the 
temper, calmness, and deliberation that the importance of 
tlie sul)je(.'t and the pi-esent critical situation ot affairs de- 
mand," we are sincerely sorry that we cannot " think the 
terms pointed out "afford "a just and reasonable ground 
for a final accommodation " between Great Britain and the 
Colonies. Your Honour observes "that the Colonies, amidst 
all those complaints which a jealousy of their liberties has 
occasioned, have never denied the justice or equity of con- 
tributing towards the biu-dens of the mother-country ;" but 
your Honour must know that they have ever unanimously 
asserted it as their indisputable right that all aids from 
them should be their own free and voluntary gifts, not taken 
by force nor extorted by fear. Under which of these de- 
scriptions the "plan held forth and offered by the parent to 
her children" at this time, with its attendant circumstances, 
deserves to bo classed, we choose rather to submit to the 
determination of your Honour's good sense, than to attempt 
provmg by the enumeration of notorious facts or the rep- 
ction of obvious reasons. If no other objection to "the 
I)lan pi-nposed' occurred to us, we shoidd esteem it a dishon- 
orable desertion of sister-Colonies, connected by a union, 



THE BIBTE OF THE BEPTIBLIG. 209 

founded on great motives and mutual faith, and conducted 
by general councils, for a single Colony to adopt a measure 
so extensive inconsequence, without the advice and consent 
of those Colonies engaged with us by solemn ties in the 
same common cause.' " 

Extract of a letter from Carlisle (Cumberland Co.), Penn- 
sylvania, dated May 6, 1775 : 

"Yestei'day the county committee met from nineteen 
townships on the short notice they had. About three thou- 
sand men have already associated. The arms returned 
amount to about fifteen hundred. The committee have 
voted five hundi'ed effective men, besides commissioned 
oflScers, to be immediately di'afted, taken into pay, armed, 
and disciplined, to march ontlie first enicrgcncy; to be paid 
and supported as long as necessary by a tax on all estates, 
real and personal, in the county ; the returns to be taken 
by the townsliip committees and the tax laid by the com- 
missioners and assessors; the pay of the officers arid men 
nearly as usual in times past. This morning we met again 
at eight o'clock; among the subjects of inquiry this day, the 
inode of drafting or taking into pay, arming, and victualling 
immediately, the men and the choice of field and other 
officers will, among other important matters, be the subject 
of deliberation. The strength of spirit of this county may 
perhaps appear small if judged of by the number of men pro- 
posed ; but when it is considered that v/e are ready to raise 
fifteen hundred or two thousand, should we have support 
from the Province, and that, independent and in uncertain 
expectation of such support, we have voluntarily drawn 
upon this county a debt of about twenty seven thousand 
pounds per annum, I hope we shall not appear contempti- 
ble. We make great improvement in military discipline; 
it is yet uncertain who may go." 

BucJcs County {Pa.) Committee. 

"At a meeting of the committee of the county of Bucks, 
held at the house of Richard Leedom, May the 8, 1775,— 

"Resolved unanimously. That we do heartily approve of 
the resolves of the late Provincial convention held at Phila- 
delphia the 33d day of January last, and do earnestly re- 
commend it to the observation of the inhabitants of this 
county. 

"Resolved unanimously, That notwithstanding the dis- 
approbation we have hitherto shown to the prosecution of 
any violent measures of opposition arising from the hopes 
and expectations that the humanity, justice, and magna- 
nimity of the British nation would not fail of affording us 
relief; being now convinced that all our most dutiful appli- 
cations have hitherto been fruitless and vain, and that at- 



!210 TUE BIRTU OF TEE REPUBLIC. 

tempts are now making to carry the oppressive acts of Par- 
lianient into execution by military force, we do therefore 
earnestly recommend to the peoply of this county to form 
themselves into associations in their respective townships, 
to improve themselves in the military art, that they may 
b"^ rendered capable of affording their country that aid 
which its particular necessities may at any time require. 

"Joseph Hart, John Kidd, Joseph Kirkbride, James Wal- 
lace, and Henry Wynkoop, or any three of them, are ap- 
pointed as delegates to meet in Provincial convention, if 
any should be found necessary. 

'''The committee request all persons Avho have taken sub- 
rcriptions for the relief of the poor of Boston as soon as pos- 
sible to collect and pay the same into the hands of the treas- 
urer, Henry Wynkoop, that it may be speedily applied, 
towards the benevolent purpose for which it Avas intended ; 
and at the same time to give those who have not subscribed 
an opportunity to contribute also. 

' ' By order of the committee. 

" Henry Wynkoop, Clerk. 

Chester County {Pa.) Committee. 

"At a meeting of the committee for the county of Ches- 
ter, at the borough of Chester, Jlay 15, 1775, 

" Anthony Wayne, Esq., in the chair, the following re- 
polves were made, viz. : 

'' Whereas, The British Parliament, instead of hearing our 
jn^t complaints or showing the least regard to the dutiful 
and lawful petition of the late Continental Congress on be- 
half of America, have proceeded to fresh acts of tyranny and 
oppression, which, added to an address of both Lords and 
Commons to his Majesty, declaring the inhabitants of the 
Pi-ovince of ^Massachusetts Bay to be in a state of open re- 
bellion, and several of the other Colonies encouragers of the 
same, have induced the soldiery imder the command of 
General Gage, at Boston, to connnence a civil war by wan- 
tonly firing upon and murdering a number of the inhabi- 
tants of that Province: And whereas. The said address mili- 
tates equally acainst all the inhabitants of the other Colonies 
wlio have the virtue to refuse obedience to laws and meas- 
ures destructive to the best rights and liberties of America, 
which, if suffered to take effect, must inevitably reduce these 
Ci)lonies to a state of abject slavery, from which in all prob- 
ability no human efforts would ever be able to rescue them; 
and alth(Micrh we will not yield to any of our fellow-subjects in 
point of duty and loyalty to our most gracious sovereign, yet 
wo cannot be so far negligent of our own happiness as totally 
to neu'lect providhig for our common safetv : Tlierefore,— 

" Resolved unanimously, 1st, That it "is the indispens- 
able duty of all the freemen of this county immediately 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 211 

to form and enter into associations for the purpose of 
learning the military art ; and that they provide themselves 
with proper arms and ammunition to be ready in case of 
emergency to defend our liberty, property, and lives against 
all*attempts to deprive us of them. And we solemnly en- 
gage to promote such associations to the utmost of our 
power. 

"2d, Eesolved, nem. coti., That no powder be expended in 
this coimty except on emergent occasions, and the store- 
and shop-keepers are requested not to dispose of any except 
to some one or more of this committee, who are ordered to 
purchase the same. 

"3d, Eesolved, nem. con., That this committee, confiding 
in the wisdom and virtue of the Continental Congress now 
sitting in Philadelphia, will adopt and use their utmost 
endeavors to carry into execution all such measures as the 
said Congress shaU i-ecommend for the preservation of 
American liberty. 

"'4th. Resolved, nem. con., It is earnestly recommended, 
to every subscriber in this county for the relief of the poor 
in Boston, that they immediately pay the saine, as it is much 
wanted for the benevolent purposes intended. 

"'5th. Resolved, nem. con., Tliat each member of this com- 
mittee will give his attendance at the borough of Chester, 
on the the 31st of this instant, at ten o'clock a.m., in order 
to consult the justices. Grand Jury, and Board of Commis- 
sioners and Assessors on ways and means to procure a proper 
quantity of arms and ammunition for the use of this county.' 

" The committee then adjourned to the time and place 
above mentioned. By order of the committee. 

"Francis Johnston, 

" Secretary.'''' 

Meeting of the inhabitants of Westmoreland Count]/, Pa. 

" At a general meeting of the inhabitants of this county of 
Westmoreland, held at Hanna's Town, the 16th day of ]\iay, 
1775, for taking into consideration the very alarming situa- 
tion of this county occasioned by the dispute with Great 
Britain, — 

"Resolved unanimously, That the Parliament of Great Brit- 
ain, by several late acts, liave declared the inhabitants of the 
Massachusetts Bay to be in rebellion, and the Ministry, by 
endeavoring to enforce these acts, have attem.pted to reduce 
the said inhabitaTits to a more wretched state of slavery 
than ever before existed in any state or coimtry. Not con- 
tent with violating their Constitutional and Chartered privi- 
leges, they would strip them of the rights of humanity, ex- 
posing lives to the wanton and unpunishable sport of a 
licentious soldiery, and depriving them of the very means of 
subsistence. 



212 THE BIRTH OF THE EEPUBLIG. 

"Resolved unanimously, That there is no reason to doubt 
but the snnie sj^stem of tj-ranny and oppression will (should 
it meet with success in the Massachusetts Bay) be extended 
to every other part of America; it is therefore become the 
indispensahle diity of every American, of every man who 
has any iniblic virtue or love for his country, or any bowels 
for posterity, by every means which God has put in liis 
power, to i-esist"and oppose the execution of it: that for us 
we will be ready to oppose it with our lives and fortunes. 
And the better to enable us to accomplish it, we will imme- 
diately form ourselves into a military body to consist of com- 
panies to be made up out of the several townships under the 
foUinving association, which is declared to be the Association 
of Westmoreland County: 

"Possessed with unshaken loyalty and fidelity to his Majes- 
ty, King George the Third, whom we acknowledge to be our 
lawful and rightful King, and who we wish may long be 
the beloved sovereign of a free and happy people through- 
out the whole British Empire; we declare to the world that 
we do not mean, by this association, to deviate from that loy- 
alty whicli we hold it our bounden dutj' to observe; but 
animated with the love of liberty, it is no less than duty to 
maintain and defend oiu" just rights (which with sorrow we 
have seen of late wantonly violated in many instances by a 
wicked ilinistry and a corrupted Parliament), and transmit 
them entire to our posterity, for which purpose we do agree 
and associate together, — 

"1st. To arm and form ourselves into a regiment or regi- 
ments, and choose officers to command us in such propor- 
tion as shall be thought necessary,' " etc. 

" Pennsylvania Assejiblt, ) 
Friday, June 23, 1775. f 

"The bill entitled 'An Act for the Suppoi-t of the Govern- 
ment of this Province and the Payment of the Public Debt ' 
being read the second time and debated by paragraphs, was 
orden-d to be transcribed for a third reading. 

'•A petition and memorial from the Committee of the City 
and Liberties of Philadelphia was presented to the House and 
read, setting forth that the petitioners, reflecting upon the 
great and imminent danger to which the liberties of America 
are exposed by the open and declared determination of the 
liritish Ministry to enforce certain cruel and oppressive acts 
of Parliament; and contemplating those mournful events 
which have already happened, as well as those which may 
happen during this important struggle,— have been induced 
to form and recommend a miliiary association within this 
city and liberties; that, in forming such association, they 
have extended their views beyond a mere parade and useless 
ebow ; imd animated with a lively sense of tl:e inestimable 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 213 

value of the blessings of civil liberty themselves, they have 
end1?avored to inculcate upon others the necessity of defend- 
ing and supporting them by actual service, if the exigency 
of public affairs should require it: that under these circum- 
stances they find various difficulties which require the aid 
and assistance of the honorable House. 

'' Reposing therefore the fullest confidence in the virtue and 
spirit of their Eepresentatives, they beg leave to lay before 
them several particulars which seem, in a peculiar manner, 
to claim their attention and regard, 

" Friday, June 30, 1775. 

" The House met pursuant to adjournment and proceeded 
in the consideration of the resolves of the committees, which, 
being put to the question, were agreed to by the House, and 
follow in those words, viz : 

" ' 1. Resolved, That this House approve the association ca- 
tered into by the good people of this Province for the de- 
fence of their lives, liberty, and property. 

" '3. Resolved, That if any invasion or. landing of British 
troops or others shall be made in this or the adjacent 
Colonies during the present controversy, or any armed ships 
or vessels shall sail up the river Delaware in a hostile man- 
ner, and such circumstances shall render it expedient, in the 
judgment of the committee hereafter to be appointed, for 
any number of the officers and privates, men of the associa- 
tion, within this Colony to enter into actual service for re- 
pelHng such hostile attempts, this House will provide for 
the pay and necessary expenses of such officers and soldiers 
performing such military duty while they are in such actual 
service.' " 

Dr. Franklin to Dr. Jos. Priestly : 

"Philadelphia, Pa., October 3, 1775. 

"Dear Sir: I am to set out to-morrow for the camp, and 
having but just heard of this opportunity, can only write a 
line to say that I am well and hearty. Tell our dear good 
friend Dr. Price, who sometimes has his doubts and despon- 
dences about our firmness, that America is determined and 
unanimous, a very few Tories and Placemen excepted, who 
will probably very soon export themselves. 

''Britain, at the expense of three millions, has killed one 
hundred and fifty Yankees this campaign, which is twenty 
thousand pounds a head; and at Bunker's Hill, she gained 
a mile of ground, half of which she lost again by our taking 
Post on Ploughed Hill. During the same time sixty thou- 
sand children have been born in America. From these data 
his mathematical head will easily calculate the time and ex- 



214 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

ponso necessary to kill us all and conquer our whole terri- 
tory. My sincere respects to and to the club of 

honest Whigs at. . . . Adieu, 

" I am ever yours naost affectionately, 

"B. Franklin." 

Dr. Franklin to David Hartley, London: 

"PniLADELPHiA, Pa., October 3, 1775. 

"Sir: I wish as ardently as you can do for peace, and 
should rojoice exceedinjjly in co-operating with you to that 
end. But every ship from Britain brings some intelligence 
of now measures tliat tend more and more to exasperate ; 
and it seems to me that, until you have found by dear expe- 
rience the reducing us by force impracticable, you will 
think of nothing fair and reasonable. We have as yet 
resDlved only on defensive measures. If you would recall 
your forces and stay at home, we should meditate nothing 
to injure you. A little time so given for cooling on both 
sides would have excellent effects. But you will goad and 

E revoke us. You despis" us too much; and you are insensi- 
le of the Italian adage that ' Thei-e is no little enemy.' 
" I am persuaded the body of the British people are our 
friends ; but they are changeable, and, by your lying gazettes, 
may soon be made our enemies. Our respect for them will 
proportionally diminish; and I see clearly we are on the 
high road to mutual enmity, hati-ed, and detestation. A 
separation will of course be inevitable. It is a million of 
pities, so fair a plan as we have hitherto been engaged in, 
tor increasing strength and empire with public fidelity, 
should be destroyed by the mangling hands of the few 
blundering Ministers. It will not be destroyed; God will 
protect and prosper it; you will only exclude yourselves 
from any share in it. We hear that more troops and ships 
are cnniing out. We know you may do us a great deal of 
nnschief, but we are determined to bear it patiently as long 
as we can. But if you flatter yourselves with beating us 
into submission, you know neither the people nor the coun- 
try. The Congress is still sitting, and will wait the result of 
their last petition." 

Doctor Franklin to M. Dumas : 

" PniLADELPniA, December 19, 1775. 

" Wo are threatened from England with a very powerful 
force, to come noxt year against us. We are making all the 
provisions in our power hero' to prevent thnt force, and we 
hope we shall be able to defend ourselves. But as the events 
of war are always uncertain, possibly, after another cam- 
paign, we may find it necessary to ask aid of some foreign 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 215 

power. It gives us great pleasure to learn from you that 
' all Europe wishes us the best success in the maintenance 
of our liberty.' But wo wish to know whether any one of 
them, from principles of humanity, is disposed magnani- 
mously to step in for the relief of an oppressed people; or 
whether if, as it seems likely to happen, we should be 
obliged to break off all connection with Britain and declare 
ourselves an independent people, there is any state or power 
in Europe who would be willing to enter into an alliance 
with us for the benefit of our commerce, which amounted 
before the war to near seven millions sterling per annum, 
and must continually increase, as our people increase most 
rapidly. Confiding, my dear friend, in your good-will to 
us and our cause, and in your sagacity and abilities for 
business, the committee of Congress appointed for the pur- 
pose of establishing and conducting a correspondence with 
our friends in Europe, of which committee I have the honor 
to be a member, have directed me to request of you that, as 
you are situated at The Hague, where ambassadors from all 
the courts reside, you would make use of the opportunity 
which that situation affords you of discovering, if possible, 
the disposition of the several courts with respect to such as- 
sistance or alliance, if we should apply for the one or pro- 
pose for the other. As it maj possibly be necessary, in 
particular instances, that you should, for this purpose, con- 
fer chrectly with some great Ministers, and show them this 
letter as your credential, we only recommend it to your 
discretion that you proceed therein with such caution as to 
keep the same from the knowledge of the English ambassa- 
dor, and prevent any public appearance, at present, of >'Our 
being employed in such business, as thereby we imagine 
many inconveniences may be avoided and your means of 
rendering us service increased." 

" Common-sense.'''' 

From Thomas Paine's " Common-sense," published in 
Philadelphia : 

" 'Tis repugnant to reason, to the universal order of 
things, to all examples from former ages, to suppose that 
this continent can long remain subject to any external 
power. The most sanguine in Britain doth not think so. 
The utmost stretch of human wisdom cannot at this time 
compass a plan, short of separation, which can promise 
the continent even a year's security. Reconciliation is now 
a fallacious dream. Nature hath deserted the connection, 
and Art cannot supply her place; for as Milton wisely ex- 
presses ' Never can true reconcilement grow where wounds 
of deadly hate have pierced so deep.' " 



210 THE BIRTn OF THE REPUBLIC. 

Instructions of the AssembJij of Pennsylvania to their Dele- 
gates in Congress. 

" In Assembly, June 8, 1776. 

"Gentlemen: When by our instructions of last Novem- 
ber we strictly enjoined you in behalf of this Colony to dis- 
sent from and utterly reject any proposition, should such 
be nia-le, that might cause or lead to a separation from 
Gre:it Britain or a change of the form of this government, 
our restrictions did not arise from any diflSdence of your 
ability, prudence, or integrity, but from an earnest desire to 
serve the good people of Pennsylvania with fidelity in times 
so full of alarming dangers and perplexing difficulties. The 
situation of public affairs is since so greatly altered that we 
now think ourselves justifiable in removing the restrictions 
laid upon you by those instructions. The contempt with 
which the last petition of the honorable Congress has been 
treated ; the late act of Parliament declaring the just resist- 
ance of the Colonists against violances actually offered to be 
rebellion, excluding them from the protection of the Crown, 
and even compelling some of them to bear arms against their 
countrymen; the treaties of the King of Great Britain with 
other princes for engaging foreign mercenaries to aid the 
forces of that kingdom in their hostile enterprises against 
Atnerica; and his answer to the petition of the Lord Mayor, 
Aldermen, and Commons of the city of London, — manifest 
such a determined and implacable resolution to effect the 
utter destruction of these Colonics that all hopes of recon- 
ciliation on reasonable terms are extinguished. 

"Nevertheless, it is our ardent desire that a civil war, 
with all its attending miseries, could be ended by a secure 
and hijiiorable peace. 

" We therefore hereby aTithorize you to concur with the 
other Delegates in Congress in forming such further com- 
pacts between the United Colonies, concluding such treaties 
with foreign kingiJoms and states, and in adopting such 
other measures as shall be judged necessary for promoting 
the liberty, safety, and interests of Amoricii ; reserving to 
the people of this Colony the sole and exclusive right of 
regulating the internal government and police of the same. 
The happiness of these Colonies has, during the whole course 
of this fatal controversy, been our first wish; their recon- 
ciliation with Great Britain our next. Ardently have we 
prayed for the accomplishment of both. But if we must 
renounce the one or the other, Ave humblv trust in the mer- 
cies of the Supreme Governor of the Universe, that we shall 
not stand condemned before his throne if our choice is 
determined by that overruHng law of self-preservation 
which his divii.e wisdom has thought fit to implant in the 
hearts of his creatures." 



THE BIRTH OF' THE liEFl/BLlO. 217 

Provincial Conference of Pennsylvania Instructs Delegates 
to Vote for Independence. 

"June 24, 1776, p.m. 

"The Conference met. 

" The committee appointed for that purpose brought in a 
draft of a declaration on the subject of the independence, of 
this Colony, of the Crown of Great Britain, which was ordered 
to be read by special order. Tiie same was read a second 
time, and, being fully considered, it was, with the greatest 
unanimity of all the members, agreed to and adopted, and 
is in the following words, viz. : 

"' Whereas, George the Third, King of Great Britain, 
etc., in violation of the principles of the British Constitu- 
tion and of the laws of justice and humanity, hath, by an 
accumulation of oppressions unparalleled in history, ex- 
cluded the inhabitants of this with the other American 
Colonies, from his protection ; and whereas he hath paid no 
regard to any of our numerous and dutiful petitions for a 
redress of our complicated grievances, but hath lately pur- 
chased foreign troops to assist in enslaving us, and hath ex- 
cited the savages of this country to carry on a war against 
ixs, as also the negroes to imbrue their hands in the blood of 
their masters in a manner unpractised by civilized nations; 
and hath lately insulted our calamities by declaring that he 
will show us no mercy until he has reduced us ; and whereas, 
the obligations of allegiance and protection (being reciprocal 
between a King and his subjects) are now dissolved, on the 
side of the Colonists, by the despotism of the said King, in- 
somuch that it now appears that loyalty to him is treason 
against the good people of this country; and whereas, not 
only the Parliament, but, there is reason to believe, too many 
of the people of Great Britain, have concurred in the afore- 
said arbitrary and unjust proceedings against us; and 
whereas, the public virtue of this Colony (so essential to its 
liberty and happiness) must be endangered by a future 
political union with or dependence upon a crown and nation 
so lost to justice, patriotism, and magnanimity; — we, the 
deputies of the people of Pennsylvania, assembled in full 
Provincial Conference for forming a plan for executing the 
resolve of Congress of the 15th of May last for suppressing 
all authority in this Province derived from Great Britain, 
and for establishing a government upon the authority of the 
people only, now, in this public manner, in behalf of ourselves, 
and with the approbation, consent, and authority of our con- 
stituents, unanimously declare our willingness to concur in a 
vote of the Congress declaring the United Colonies free and 
independent States, provided the forming of the govern- 
ment and the regulation of the internal police of this Colony 
be always reserved to the people of the said Colony, And we 
do, further, call upon the nations of Europe, and appeal to 



t>18 TEE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

the Great Arbiter and Governor of the empires of the world, 
to witness for us that this declaration did not originate in 
ambition or in an impatience of lawful authority, but that 
we were driven to it, in obedience to the first prmciples of 
nature by the oppressions and cruelties of the aforesaid 
King and Parliament of Great Britain, as the only possible 
measure that was left us to preserve and establish our liber- 
ties and to transmit them inviolate to posterity.' 

"Ordered, That the Declaration be signed at the table and 
that the president deliver it to Congress." 

NEW JERSEY, 

The first action taken by New Jersey in opposition to the 
new taxes imposed by Parliament in June, 1767, on tea and 
other articles, was in response to a circular sent out by the 
ever-watchful Massachusetts Assembly. "This circular," 
says Mulford, " was laid before the Assembly of New Jersey 
by the speaker, on the 15th April, 1768; and on the following 
day it was referred to a committee to prepare and bring in 
an answer. A suitable reply was accordingly prepared and 
was transmitted to the Massachusetts Assembly. Soon after, 
the House resolved that a dutiful and loyal address should 
be presented to his Majesty, humbly beseeching liim to con- 
sider the distressed condition of the Colonies. On the 7th 
May the address was agreed to." This address sets forth 
that " The subjects thus emigrating, brought with them, as 
inherent in their persons, all the rights and liberties of nat- 
ural-born subjects within the parent state; in consequence 
of these, a government was formed, under which they have 
iiecn constantly exercised and enjoyed by the inhabitants, and 
repeatedly and solemnly recognized and confirmed by your 
royal predecessors and the legislature of Great Britain. One 
of these rights and liberties vested in the people of this Col- 
ony is the privilege of being exempt from any taxation but 
such as is imposed on them by themselves or by their repre- 
sentatives. And this they e-^teem so invaluable that they 
are fully persuaded no other can exist without it. Your 
Maifjsty's signal distinction i^ that you reign over freemen, 
and your peculiar glory that you reign in such a manner 
that your subjects, the disposers of their ovvn property, are 
ready and wilhng, wlienever your service calls upon them, 
with their lives and fortunes to assist your cause. . . . With 
such sentiments, your people observe, with the greatest 
anxiety and concern, that duties have been lately imposed 
on them by Parliament, for the sole and express purpose of 
raising a revenue. This is a taxation upon them from which 
they conceive they ought to be protected by the acknowl- 
edged principles of the Constitution— that freemen cannot be 
taxed but by themselves or by their representatives; and 
that they are represented in Parliament, they not only can- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 219 

not allow, but are convinced that, from their local circum- 
stances, they never can be." 

The act of Parliament for sendmg criminals from the Col- 
onies to England to be tried, awakened a spirit of universal 
alarm and opposition. The Assembly of New Jersey, De- 
cember, 1769 \in accordance with the previous action of the 
House of Burgesses in Virginia), passed a resolution " That 
all trials for treason, or any felony or crime whatever, com- 
mitted by any person residing in the Colony: ought to be in 
and before his Majesty's courts in the Colony; and that the 
seizing any person residing in the Colony, suspected of any 
crime committed there, and sending such person to places 
beyond the seas to be tried, is highly derogatory of the rights 
of British subjects; as thereby the inestimable privilege of a 
trial by jury of the vicinage, as well as the liberty of pro- 
ducing witnesses in such trial, will be taken away." 

The Colonies resorted to non-importation agreements. 
" New Jersey," says Mulford, " from her limited trade, was 
unable to give decisive support to measures of this descrip- 
tion by direct co-operation ; but her cordial approval was ex- 
pressed. In October, 1769, the General xlssembly resolved, by 
an imanimous vote, that tlie thanks of the House be given to 
the merchants and traders of this Colony, and of the Colo- 
nies of New York and Pennsylvania, for their disinterested 
and pubhc-spirited conduct in withholding their importations 
of British merchandise until certain acts of Parliament laying 
restrictions on American commerce,for the express purpose of 
raising a revenue in America, be repealed." Meetings of the 
people were also held, where similar views were expressed, 
anfl the violations of the non importation agreements, which 
had occurred at different places, were severely condemned. 

The repeal of the Revenue Act of 1767 took place on the 
12th of April, 1770. But the reservation of the tax on tea, 
for the avowed purpose of continuing to assert the right of 
Pai'liamentary taxation, rnarred the effect of the concession. 
The people of the Colonies were far from being satisfied, and 
continued their policy of non-importation as to that article, 
and their other measures of protest and opposition. This 
tax on tea, with other irritating measures, affecting particu- 
larly Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut, kept the 
whole continent in a state of continued irritation and excite- 
ment. 

" On the 8th of February, 1774, the Assembly of New Jer- 
sey resolved that a ' Committee of Correspondence and In- 
quiry be appointed to obtain the most early and authentic 
intelligence of all acts and resohitions of the British Parlia- 
ment, or the proceedings of administration, that may have 
any relation to or may affect the liberties and privileges of 
his Majesty's subjects in the British Colonies in America, 
and to keep up and maintain a correspondence with our sis- 



220 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

ter-Colonios respecting these important considerations ; and 
that they occasionally lay their proceedings before the 
House.' It was also agreed that the resolution of the House 
should bo transmitted to the Assemblies of the several Col- 
onies, and that thanks should be returned to the Assembly 
of Virginia for their early attention to the liberties of 
America. " 

Loiver Freehold (N. J.) Resolutions. 

At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the 
townsliip of Lower Freehold, in the county of ilonmouth, in 
New Jersey, on ]\Ionday, the Gth day of June, 1774, after no- 
tice given of the time, place, and occasion of the meeting, — 

"Resolved, That it is the unanimous opinion of this meet- 
ing that the cause in which the inhabitants of the town of 
Boston are now suffering is the common cause of the whole 
continent of North America; and that, unless some general 
spirited measures for the pubhc safety be speedily entered 
into, there is just reason to fear that every Province may in 
turn share the same fate with them ; and that tbei'ofore it 
is highly incumbent on them all to unite in some effectual 
means to obtain a repeal of the Boston Port Bill, and any 
other that may follow it which shall be deemed subversive 
of the rights and privileges of free-boi-n Americans. 

' ' And that it is also the opinion of this meeting that, in case 
it shall appear hereafter to he consistent with the general 
opinion of the trading towns and the commercial part of our 
countrj'men, that an entire stoppage of importation and ex- 
portation from and to Great Britain and the West Indies 
until the said Port Bill and other acts be repealed, will be 
really conducive to the safety and preservation of North 
America and her liberties, they will yield a cheerful acquies- 
cence in the measure, and earnestly recommend the same to 
all their brethren in tliis Province." 

Essex County {N. J.) Resolutions. 

At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the 
county of Essex, in the Province of New Jersey, at Newark, 
1" *fV^ county, on Saturday, the 11th day of June, 1774: 

Tins meeting taking into serious consideration some late 
alarining measures adopted by the British Parhament for 
dcpnvmg his Majesty's American subjects of their im- 
doubtPd and constitutional rights and pnvileges, and par- 
ticularly the act for blockading the port of Boston, which 
appeai-s to thorn pregnant with the most dangerous conse- 
quences to all his Majesty's dominions in America, do unani- 
mously rf'solvo and agree,— 

" ' 1- That, under the enjoyment of our Constitutional priv- 
ilege.s and immunities, we will ever cheerfully rend or all due 
Obedience to the Crown of Great Britain, as weU as full 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 221 

faith and allegiance to his most gracious Majesty King 
George the Third ; and to esteem a firm dependence on the 
mother-country essential to our political security and hap- 
piness. 

"2. That the late act of Parliament, relative to Boston, 
which so absolutely destroys every idea of safety and confi- 
dence, appears to us big with the most dangerous and alarm- 
ing consequences ; especially as subversive of that very de- 
pendence which we should earnestly wish to contmue, as 
our best safoguai'd and protection; and that we conceive 
every well-wisher to Great Britain and her Colonies is now 
loudly called upon to exert his utmost abilities in promoting 
every legal and prudential measure towards obtaining a 
repeal of the said act oE Parhament, and all others subver- 
sive of the undoubted rights and liberties of his Majesty's 
American subjects. 

' ' 3. That it is our unanimous opinion that it would conduce 
to the restoration of the liberties of America should the Colo- 
nies enter into a joint agreement not to purchase or use any 
articles of British manufacture; and especially any commo- 
dities imported from the East Indies, under such restrictions 
as may be agreed upon by a general Congress of the said 
Colonies, hereafter to be appointed. 

"4. That this county will most readily and cheerfully 
join their brethren of the other counties in this Province, in 
promoting such Congress of deputies to be sent from each 
of the Colonies, in order to form a general plan of union, 
so that the measures to be pursued tor the important ends 
in view may be uniform and firm ; to which plan, when 
concluded upon, we do agree faithfully to adhere. And do 
now declare ourselves ready to send a committee, to meet 
with those from the other counties, at such time and place 
as may be agreed upon, in order to elect proper persons to 
represent this Province in the said general Congress. 

' ' 5. That the freeholders and inhabitants of the other coun- 
ties in this Province be requested speedily to convene them- 
selves together to consider the present distressing state of 
our public affairs, and to correspond and consult with such 
other committees as may be appointed, as well as with our 
committee, who are hereby directed to correspond and con- 
sult with such other committee, as also with those of any 
other Province; and particularly to meet with the said 
county committees, in order to nominate and appoint depu- 
ties to represent this Province in general Congress." 

Bergen County {N. J.) Resolutions. 

" At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the 
county of Bergen, in the Province of New Jersey, convened 
agreeable to advertisement, at the Court-house of said 
county, on Saturday, the 33d of June, 1774 : 



222 THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIO. 

"This meeting being deeply affected with the calamitous 
condition of the inhabitants of Boston, in the Province of 
I^Ias.-achiisetts Bay, in consequence of the late act of Par- 
liament fur blocking up the port of Boston, and considering 
the alarming tendency of the act of the British Parliament 
for the piu-pose of raising a revenue in America, do resolve, — 

" 1st. That they think it their greatest happiness to live 
under the Government of the illusti-ious House of Han- 
over; and that they will steadfastly and uniformly bear 
true and faithful allegiance to his Majesty King George the 
Third, under the enjoyment of their Constitutional rights 
and privileges. 

"2d. That we conceive it to be our indubitable privilege to 
be taxed only by our own consent, given by ourselves or 
by our reprentatives ; and that we consider the late acts of 
Parliament declarative of their right to impose internal taxes 
on the subjects of America as manifest encroachments on 
our national rights and privileges as British subjects, and 
as inconsistent with the idea of an American Assembly or 
House of Representatives. 

"3d. That we will heartily unite with this Colony in 
choosing Delegates to attend at a general Congress of the 
several Provinces of America, in order to consult on and 
determine some effectual method to be pursued for obtain- 
ing a repeal of the said acts of Parliament' which appear 
to us evidently calculated to destroy that mutual harmony 
and dependence between Great Britain and her Colonies 
which are the basis and support of both." 

Morris County (N. J.) Resolutions. 

"At a meeting of a respectable body of the freeholders 
and inhabitants of the county of Morris, in the Province of 
east New Jersey, at the Com-t-house in Morristown, in said 
county, on ^londay the 27th of June, 1774, resolved,— 

" 2d. That it is our wish and desire, and we esteem it our 
greatest happmess and security, to be governed bv the laws 
of Great Britam, and that we will always cheerfully submit 
to them as far as can be done consistently with the consti- 
tutional liberties and privileges of free-born Englishmen. 

'•3d. That the late acts of Parliament for imposing taxes 
tor the purpose of raising a revenue in America are op- 
j.ressive and arbitrary, calculated to disturb the minds and 
alienate the affections of the Colonies from the mother- 
country, are replete with ruin to both; and consequently 
Uiat the authors and promoters of said acts, or of such doc- 
trines of ihe right of taxing America, being in the Parlia- 
ment ot Great Britain, are and should be deemed enemies 
to our King and happy Constitution. 

r T> V- '^•^^^Jl ^■'^ the o] anion of this meeting that the act 
ut 1 arhament for shutting up the port of Boston is uncou- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 223 

stitutional, injurious in its principles to the general cause 
of American freedom, particularly oppressive to the inhab- 
itants of that town, and that therefore the people of Boston 
are considered by us as suffering in the genez-al cause of 
America. 

"5th, That unanimity and firmness in the Colonies are 
the most effectual means to relieve our suffering brethren at 
Boston, to avert the dangers justly to be apprehended from 
that alarming act commonly styled the Boston Port Bill, 
and to secure the invaded rights and privileges of America. 

"6th. That it is our opinion that an agreement between 
the Colonies not to purchase or use any articles imported 
from Great Britain or from the East Indies, under such re- 
strictions as may be agreed upon by the general Congress 
hereafter to be appointed by the Colonies, would be of ser- 
vice in procuring a repeal of those acts." 

Hunterdon County (N. J.) Resolutions. 

"The freeholders and inhabitants of Hunterdon county, 
in the Province of New Jersey, convened by advertisement, 
at the house of John Ringo, in Am well, in said coimty, on 
Friday, the 8th July, 1774, Samuel Tucker, Esq., in the 
chair, came to the following resolutions without a dissent- 
ing voice, viz. : 

"3d. That any act of Parliament for the apprehending 
and carrying persons into another Colony or to Great Brit- 
ain, to be tried for any crime alleged to be committed within 
this Colony, or subjecting them to be tried by commissioners 
or any court, constituted by acts of Parhament or otherwise 
within this Colony, in a summary way without a jury of the 
vicinage, is unconstitutional and subversive of the rights and 
liberties of the free subjects of this Colony. 

"4th. That it is our indispensable duty, which we owe to 
our King, our country, ou;selves, and cur posterity, by all 
lawful ways and means in our power to maintain, defend. 
and preserve our loyalty, rights, and liberties, and transmit 
them inviolate to the latest generations; and that it is our 
fixed, determined, and unalterable resolution faithfully to 
discharge this our bounden duty. 

"5th. That it is our unanimous opinion that it would con- 
duce to the restoration of the liberties of America should 
the Colonies enter into a joint agreement not to purchase or 
use any articles of British manufacture, nor any commodi- 
ties imported from the East Indies, under such restrictions 
as may be agreed upon by a general Congress of delegates 
from all the Colonies, hereafter to be appointed. 

" 6th. That, as the town of Boston is now suffering in the 
common cause of American freedoiu, it is the opinion of this 
meeting that subscriptions be hereafter opened in every 
town in this country, and the money subscribed to be ap- 



224 THE BTRTE OF THE REPUBLIC. 

plied towards the relief of the suffering poor in said town 
of Boston until they may be reUeved by being restored to 
their just rights and privileges, 

Middlesex County {N. J.) Resolutions. 

According to notice which had been given to the freehold- 
ers and inhabitants of the county of Middlesex, New Jersey, 
a great number from every quarter of the county met at 
the Court-house in New Brunswick, on Friday, 15th day of 
July, 1774, at two o'clock, and chose John Moores, Esq., to 
the chair; but as the Court-house could not contain half 
the number, the meeting adjourned to the Presbyterian 
raeeting-house, where, after some deliberation upon the dan- 
gerous situation of the public affairs in America, the meet- 
ms unanimously resolved as follows, viz. : 

^' l.st. That the members of this meeting, their fellow-sub- 
jects in this Province, and they are persuaded the inhabi- 
tants of America in general are firm and unshaken in their 
allegiance to his Majesty King George the Third; that they 
have ever demonstrated their readiness to support his Maj- 
esty's government over them, and also to grant aids to his 
Majesty on any emergency, by their own representatives, to 
the utmost of their power. 

" 2d. That all other modes of taxation in the Colonies by 
a British Parliament, under whatever name or form at- 
tempted to be introduced, is not only arbitrary and oppres- 
sive, but has a direct tendency to alienate the affections of 
the Colonies fi'om the parent-country, to widen the breach 
already made by IMinisterial influence; which it is earnestly 
wislied may be speedily healed, and a permanent union es- 
tablished on a solid Constitutional foundation. 

"3d. That the unexampled dis resses brought on the Col- 
ony of Massachusetts Bay, particularly that of blocking up 
the port of Boston and depriving theniof all trade and com- 
merce, in virtue of an act or acts of Parliament, is a cruel 
oppression, in which all the Colonies are intimately con- 
cerned ; tending, by a numerous train of consequences, to fas- 
ten on them tlie chains of vassalage and slavery, or lay 
prostrate, at the feet of an unjustly incensed Ministry, the 
inhabitants of this wide-extended country, Avho would tri- 
umph over their Hberties, sport with their lives, and chain 
their properties at will. 

♦uV^ i" ^^® <^'^^cur in the general opinion of our brethren, 
that the Congress of deputies from the several Colonies 
should present a dutiful address to his Majesty, praying for 
a general redress of the grievances complained of. 

ath. We are of opinion (which we submit to be consid- 
ered in general Congress) that a general stop of all imports 
and exports of merchandise especially to Great Britain, by 
all the Colonies, is the only probable, if not the only pos- 



TEE BIRTH OF THE REPTJBLIO. 225 

sible, measure to preserve the liberties of this country, at 
present in such imminent danger of being annihifated." 

Sussex County (N. J.) Resolutions. 

" At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the 
county of Sussex, in the Province of New Jersey, at the 
Court-house in Newtown, in said county, — on Saturday, the 
16th of July, A.D. 1774,— 

" ' 1st. Resolved, That it is our duty to render true and 
faithful allegiance to George the Third, King of Great Brit- 
ain, and to support and maintain the just dependence of his 
Colonies upon the Crown of Great Britain under the enjoy- 
ment of ovir Constitutional rights and privileges. 

' ' ' 2d. That it is undoubtedly our right to be taxed only by 
our own consent, given by ourselves or our representatives ; 
and that the late acts of Parliament for imposing taxes for 
the purpose of raising a revenue in America, and the act of 
Parliament for shutting up the port of Boston, are oppres- 
sive, unconstitutional, and injurious in their principles to 
American freedom, and that the Bostonians are coixsidered 
by us as suffering in the general cause of America. 

" ' 3d. That it is the opinion of this meeting that firmness 
and unanimity in the Colonies, and an agreement to not use 
any articles imported from Great Britain or the East Indies 
(under such restrictions as may be agreed upon by the gen- 
eral Congress hereafter to be appointed by the Colonies), 
may be the most effectual means of averting the dangers 
that are justly apprehended, and securing the invaded 
rights and privileges of America.' " 

Monmouth County {N. J.) Resolutions. 

"On Tuesday, July 19, 1774, a majority of the commit- 
tees from the several townships in the county of Monmouth, 
of the Colony of New Jersey, met according to appointment 
at the Court-house at Freehold, in said county ; and appear- 
ing to have been regularly chosen and constituted by their 
respective townships, they unanimously agreed upon the 
propriety and expediency of instructing a committee to rep- 
resent the whole county at the approaching Provincial con- 
vention to be held at the city of New Brunswick, for the 
necessary purj^ose of constituting a delegation from the 
Province to the general Congress of the Colonies, and for all 
such other important purposes as shall hereafter be found 
necessary. 

" They at the same time also recorded the following resolu- 
tions, determinations, and opinions, which they wish to be 
ti-ansmitted to posterity as an ample testimony of their loy- 
alty to his British Majesty, of their firm attachment to the 
principles of the glorious Revolution, and their firm and un- 



226 THE BIETE OF THE REPUBLIC. 

alterable purpose by every lawful means in their power to 
maintain and defend themselves in the possession and en- 
ioVment of those inestimable civil and religious privileges 
which their fathers, at the expense of so much blood and 
treasure, have established and handed down to them." 

Neiv Jersey Resolutions. 

" At a meeting of the committees of the several counties in 
the Province of New Jersey, at New Brunswick, on Thurs- 
day the 21st of July, 1774, and continued to the Saturday 
following, (i^resent, seventy-two members), Stephen Crane, 
Esq.. m the chair; 

"The committee, taking into their serious consideration the 
dangerous and destructive nature of sundry acts of the 
British Parliament with respect to the fundamental liberties 
of the American Colonies, conceive it their indispensable 
duty to bear their open testimony against them, and to con- 
cur with the other Colonies in prosecuting all legal and nec- 
essary measures for obtaining their speedy repeal. 

" '2d. We think ourselves warranted, from the principles 
of our excellent Constitution, to affirm that the claim of the 
British Parliament (in which we neither are nor can be rep- 
resented), to make laws which shall be binding on the Kmg's 
American subjects ' in all cases whatsoever,' and particular- 
ly for imposing taxes for the purpose of raising a revenue in 
America, is unconsitutional and oppressive ; and w^hich we 
think ourselves bound in duty to ourselves and our posterity 
by all Constitutional means in our power to oppose. 

"3d. We think the several late acts of Parliament for 
shutting up the port of Boston ; invading the Charter rignts 
of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay ; and subjecting 
supposed offenders to be sent for trial to other Colonies or 
to Great Britain ; the sending over an armed force to carry 
the same into effect, and thereby reducing many thousands 
of innocent loyal inhabitants to poverty and distress, — are 
not only subversive of the undoubted rights of his Majesty's 
American subjects, but also repugnant to the common prin- 
ciples of l\umanity and justice. These proceedings, so vio- 
lent in themselves and so truly alarming to the other Colo- 
onies (many of which are equally exposed to Ministerial 
vengeance), render it the indispensable duty of all heartily 
to unite in the most proper measures to procure redress for 
their oppressed countrymen now suffering in a common 
cause, and for the re-establishment of the Constitutional 
rights of America on a solid and permanent foundation. 

" 5th. That we do earnestly recommend a general non- 
importation and a non-consumption agreement to be entered 
into at such time and regulated in such manner as to the 
Congress shall appear the most advisable. 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 227 

Letter from the Committee of Correspondence of New Jersey 
to the Committee of Correspoyidence of Boston. 

" Elizabethto^ntst, New Jersey, ) 
" July 28, 1774. ) 

"Gentlemen: The arbitrary and cruel oppression under 
which your metropoKs now labours from the suspension of 
commerce must inevitably reduce multitudes to inexpressi- 
ble difficulty and distress. Suffering in a glorious and 
common cause, sympathy and resentment with peculiar 
energy fill the breasts of your anxious countrymen. As 
the King of Kings and the Ruler of Princes seems, in a re- 
markable manner, to be inspiring these Colonies with a spirit 
of union, to confound the counsels of your unrighteous 
oppressors, and with a spirit of humanity and benevolence 
towards an innocent and oppressed people, — so we trust He 
will also inspire your town with patience, resignation, and 
fortitude until this great calamity shall be overpast. We 
have the pleasure to acquaint you that on the 21st instant, 
at the City of New Brunswick, the Province of New Jersey 
with singular unanimity, seventy-two Delegates from the 
several counties and a majority of the House of Representa- 
tives present and approving, entered into similar resolutions 
with the other Colonies, elected five deputies for the pro- 
posed Congress, and the county committees then agi-eed to 
promote collections in their respective counties for the relief 
of such of the unhappy inhabitants of the town of Boston as 
may now be reduced to extremity and want. To accomphsh 
this purpose with the more acceptation to yourselves, we, 
the Committee of Correspondence for the eastern division, 
request that by the return of the post you vnll be pleased to 
advise us in what way we can best answer your present 
necessities; whether cash remitted or what articles of pro- 
vision, or other necessaries we can furnish from hence would 
be most agreeable ; and which we hope we shall be able to 
forward to Boston very soon after your advice shall be re- 
ceived. 

"We doubt not gentlemen are devising every possible 
method for the employment of those who by their deplora- 
ble situation are cut off from all former means of subsist- 
ence. 

"We are, gentlemen, your very humble servants, 

" By order, William P. Smith, 

Chairman.''^ 

" To the Honorable Frederick Smith, Esq., Cldef Justice of New Jersey : 

"The address of the Grand Jury for the body of the 
coimty of Essex, at a Court of Oyer and Tenuiner and 
General Gaol Delivery, held at Newark, in the said County, 
the first Tuesday in November, 1774. 



228 THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIG. 

" May it please your Honour: 

" As your Honour's charge from the Bench was not so 
properly directed to us with respect to our duty as the 
Grand Inquest of this county, as matter of instruction for 
the regulation of our own personal conduct amidst the 
present commotions of the Continent, we think ourselves 
obliged from the singularity of the charge and its paternal 
teuilerness foi- our welfare to express our gratitude for your 
Honour's frientUy admonitions (which doubtless derived 
great solemnity from the place in which they were deliv- 
ered), and at the same time to inform you how far we have 
the misfortune to differ from you in sentiment, both as to 
the origin and tendency of the present uneasiness so gener- 
ally diffused through all the Colonies. If we rightly under- 
stood a particular part of your Honour's charge, you were 
pleased to tell us that while we were employ ed m guardmg 
against ' imaginary tyranny three thousand miles distant ' 
we ought not to expose ourselves to a ' real tyranny at our 
own doors.' As we neither know, sir, nor are under the 
least apprehension of any tyranny at our own doors, unless 
it should make its way hither from the distance you men- 
tion, and then we hope that all those whom the Constitu- 
tion has entrusted with the guardianship of our liberties will 
rather strive to* obstruct than accelerate its progress, we are 
utterly at a loss for the idea thereby intended to be com- 
municated. But, respecting the tyranny at the distance of 
tln-ee thousand miles, which your Honour is pleased to rep- 
resent as imaginary, we have the unliappiness to differ 
widely from you in opinion. The effect, sir, of that tyranny 
is too severely felt to have it thought altogether visionary. 
We cannot think, sir, that taxes imposed upon us by our 
fellow-subjects in a Legislature in which we are not repre- 
sented, is an imaginary, but that it is a real and actual, 
tyranny, and of which no Nation whatsoever can furnish a 
single instance. We cannot think, sir, that depriving us of 
the inestimable right of trial by jury, seizing our persons 
and carrying us for trial to Great Britain, is a tyranny merely 
imaginary. Nor can we think with your Honour that de- 
stroying Charters and chaiiging our forms of government 
is a tyranny altogether ideal. That an act passed to protect, 
indenniify, and screen from punishment such as may be 
guilty even of murder, is a bare idea. That the establish- 
ment of French laws and Popish religion in Canada the 
better to facilitate the arbitrary schemes of the British 
Ministry, by making the Canadians instruments in the 
hands of power to reduce us to slavery, has no other than a 
mental existence. In a word, sir, we cannot persuade our- 
selves that the fleet now blocking up the Port of Boston, 

consisting of sliips built of real English oak and solid iron, 

and armed with cannon of ponderous metal with actual 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 229 

powder and ball; nor the army lodged in the town of Boston 
and the tortifications thrown about it (substantial and for- 
midable realities), are all creatures of the imagination 
ihese, sir, are but a few of the numerous grievances under 
^^^^\^^i?i"°^^ "°^ groans. These are some of the effects 
ot that deliberate plan of tyranny concerted at 'three thou- 
sand miles distance ' and which to your Honour appears only 
hke the baseless fabric of a vision.' To procure redress of 
these grievances which to others assume the form of odious 
and horrid realities, the Continent, as we learn, has very 
naturally been thrown into great commotions : and as far as 
this county, in particular, has taken part in the alarm we 
have the happiness to represent to your Honour that in the 
prosecution of measures for preserving American hberties 
and obtaining the removal of oppressions, the people have 
acted in all their popular assemblies (which it is the right of 
Jingiislimen to convene whenever they please) with the 
spirit, temper, and prudence becoming freemen and loyal 

"To trespass no longer on your Honour's patience, we con- 
clude with our hearty wishes, that while the gi-eat cause of 
hberty is warmly and at the same time so peaceably vindi- 
cated, by all honest Americans as essentially necessary 
to pubhc happiness, no bias of self-interest, no fawnint 
servility towards those in power, no hopes of future prefei- 
ment, will induce any man to damp his laudable and patriotic 
ardour, nor lend his helping hand to the unnatural and 
diabohcal work of riveting the chains which are forging for 
us by that same actual tyranny at the distance of three 
thousand miles." 

Newark {New Jersey) Committee. 

"Pursuant to the eleventh article of the Association en- 
tered into by the Continental Congress held at Philadelphia 
at a meeting of the Freeholders of the township of Newark' 
"^ t^e county of Essex, at the Court-house on Wednesday' 
the 7th of December, 1774, ^ ' 

I ; Joseph Briggs, Junr., Esq., in the chair: 
• AT ^eetmg of a majority of the above committee held 
Jolmstmi cfe™-^ ^' ^^''^' ^''^''^ ^'''''^'' ^^^^'^"'^^^an ; Robert 

"Voted, That the thanks of this committee be presented 
to the Honorable Delegates for this Province, members of 
the Continental Congress held at Philadelphia in September 
in tiiSn ^^'^^'^"^ discharge of the important trust reposed 

" ' To the Bclcgatcafof Xcw Jermj in the Coutmental Cong}r><s. 

ic^l\Sll'^^^^^fl^ ^}^^^ ^""^^^^ °"^ inviolable attachment 
to the pel son of the King and the present reigning family it 



230 THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIO. 

is with the highest esteem of and gratitude to you, the par- 
ticular Delegates for this Province (in conjunction with the 
whole of that venerable body), that we view the many wise 
and prudent measures by you adopted to support and hand 
down to posterity inviolate those valuable and important 
privileges, both civil and sacred, so highly prized by our 

"And 'tis with the greatest resentment that we so often 
behold your virtuous and patriotic endeavors wickedly tra- 
duced and made the subject of ridicule and slander by those 
sons of Belial whose attachedness to their master will prompt 
them to commit violence to their own judgments and even 
feed their wickedness with the very blood of their country. 
But you, sirs, may be assured that such authors (when known 
as their criminal production) shall ever be treated by us with 
the utmost contempt as they merit. 

" And as a further mark of acquiescence in the Association, 
and demonstration of our sincerity, we think it our duty for 
ourselves, and we will with the utmost of our influence re- 
commend to our constituents as the only probably means of 
securing our liberties, that the said Association be punctually 
adhered to and strictly put in execution. 

"That the blessings of Heaven may succeed all our endea- 
vors to vanquish our enemies and effectually secure the lib- 
erties of British America, and finally establish a happy Con- 
stitutional and lasting union between Great Britain and her 
Colonies, is the sincere wish of, gentlemen, your much- 
obliged and very humble servants. 

"By order of the Committee. 

"Caleb Camp, Chairman. 

"New Jersey Assembly, ) 
"January 11, 1775. f 

"Mr. Crane and Mr. Kensey also laid before the House the 
proceedings of the Continental Congress held at Philadelphia 
m September last, which were read. On the question whether 
the House approved of the said proceedings, it passed in 
the affirmative. 

" Resolved, That this house do unanimously approve of 
the proceedings of the Congress, such as are of the people 
called Quakers, excepting only to such parts as seem to wear 




Crane, William Livingston, John de Hart, and Richard 
bmith, Esqrs., or any three of them, be and they are hereby 
appomted to attend the Continental Congress of the Colonies, 
mtcnded to be held at the citv of Philadelphia in May next, 
or at any other lime and place; and that they report their 
procoqdmgs to the next session of the general Assembly: in- 
structmg the said Delegates to propose and agree to every 



THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIG. 231 

reasonable and Constitutional measure for the accommoda- 
tion of the unhappy differences at present subsisting between 
our mother-country and the Colonies, which the House 
most ardently wish for." 

Woodbridge (N. J.) Committee. 

"At a general meeting of the inhabitants of the township 
of Woodbridge, in the county of Middlesex, in New Jersey, 
on Saturday the 7th day of January, 1775, 

' ' Captain Reuben Potter, Moderator, 

" The Association entered into and recommended by the 
late general Congress at Philadelphia, being read and ap- 
proved of, it was, — 

" ' 1st. Resolved unanimously, That the said Association be 
adopted by this town and carried into execution.' " 

Burlington {N. J.) Committee. 

"At a general meeting of the freeholders and other inhabi- 
tants of the city and county of Burlington, in New Jersey, 
qualified to vote for representatives in the legislature held 
at the Court-house on Tuesday, the 14th of February, 1775, 

" Peter Fallman, Esq., chairman, 

"The Association entered into by the general American 
Congress, convened at Philadelphia on the 5th of September 
last, was read and approved : 

" ' Resolved, That, in pursuance with the eleventh article of 
the said Association, a Committee of Observation for the city 
and county be now appointed for the purposes in that article 
mentioned.'" 

Netvark (iV. J.) Committee. 

" At a meeting of the Committee of Observation for the 
township of Newark, April 24, 1775, present 18 members, 

"Mr. Caleb Camp, chairman, 

"The chairman having opened the business of the meeting, 
and related the purport of the expresses lately received from 
Boston, the following motions were made and agreed to una- 
nimously : 

' ' ' That the members of this committee are willing, at this 
alarming crisis, to risk their lives and fortunes in support of 
American liberty ; and that it be recommended to our con- 
stituents to give all necessary support in their power to our 
brethren in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in the present 
alarming exigency. 

" ' That it be also recommended to the captains of the mili- 
tia in the township to muster and exercise their respective 
companies at least once every week, and carefully to exact 
that each man be pi-ovided with arms and and ammunition 
as the militia law directs. 



2;J2 TEE BIRTJJ OF THE REPUBLIC. 

" ' That it be requested of all heads of families and masters 
of apprentices, to encourage all of proper age under their di- 
rection to learn the military exercise, and to allow them such 
portions of time as may bo necessary to make them perfect 
therein.' 

''Robert Johnston, Clerk.'''' 

Woodbridge (N. J.) Committee to the Several Committees of 
Massachusetts. 

" In Committee, Woodbridge, N. J. ) 
"May, 1, 1775. ) 

'•Gentlemen: We have received repeated intelligence by 
expresses, of your engaging and defeating the Regulars under 
the command of General Gage, which is universally credited 
in this Colony; and we have the pleasure of assuring you 
your conduct and bravery on tlmt occasion is greatly ap- 
plauded and admired by all ranks of men. In consequence 
of the intelhgence, a Provincial convention will be held as 
soon as the members can possibly be convened. In the mean 
time the inhabitants are putting themselves in the best pos- 
ture of defence, being determined to stand or fall with the 
liberties of America. We have for some time past feared 
the New Yorkers would desert American liberty, but are now 
fully convinced that they are determined to support the 
gi'and cause. 

"We also learn, with pleasure, that the inhabitants of 
Pennsylvania and of the other southern Provinces are firm, 
unanimous, and spirited. 

"We have only to add that you have our unfeigned and 
hearty thanks for the noble stand you have made, and our 
sincere and fervent prayers for a speedy deliverance from all 
your calamaties. 

"We are, very respectfully, gentlemen, your ob't huinble 
serv'ts. 

" By order of the committee. 

"Moses Bloompield, Chairman.^'' 

Town Meeting, Upper Freehold, Monmouth County. 

" New Jersey, May 4, 1775. 
"This day, agreeable to previous notice, a very consider- 
able number of the principal inhabitants of this township met 
at Imlay's Town, 

li John Lawrence, Esq., in the chair, 
'When the following resolves were unanimously agi'eed 

" ' Resolved, That it is our first wish to live in union with 
C^roat bntain agreeable to the principles of the Constitution; 
that we considor the unnatural civil war which we are about 
to be lorced mto with anxiety and distress: but that we are 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 233 

determined to oppose the novel claim of the Parhament of 
Great Bi-itain to raise a revenue in America, and risk eveiy 
possible consequence rather than submit to it.' " 

Somerset County (N. J.) Committee. 

"Pursuant to notice given by the chairman of the Com- 
mittee of Correspondence for the covmty of Somerset, in 
New Jersey, the freeholders of the county met at the Court- 
house the ilth of May, 1775, 

"Hendrick Fisher, Esq., chairman; 

"Frederick Frelinghuysen, clerk. 

"'Resolved, That the several stej^s taken by the British 
Ministry to enslave the American Colonies, and especially 
the late alarming hostilities commenced by the troops under 
General Gage against the inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay, 
loudly call on the people of this Province to determine what 
part they will act in this situation of affairs ; and that we 
therefore readily consent to elect deputies for a Provincial 
Congress to meet at Trenton on Tuesday the 23d instant, 
agreeable to the advice and direction of the provincial Com- 
mittee of Correspondence.' " 

"New Jersey Provincial Conoress, ) 
"Saturday, June 22, 1776. \ 

"The Congress proceeded to the election of Delegates to 
represent this Colony in the Continental Congress, when 
Richai'd Stockton, Abraham Clark, John Hart, Francis 
Hoi^kinson, Esquires, and Dr. John Witherspoon, were elected 
by ballot to serve for one year unless a new appointment be 
made before that time. 

"Resolved, That the following instructions be given to the 
Delegates so elected, viz.: To Richard Stockton, Abraham 
Clark, John Hart, Francis Hopkinson, Esquires, and the 
Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon, Delegates appointed to represent 
the Colony of New Jersey in the Continental Congress, 

" The Congress empower and direct you, in the name of 
the Colony toioin with the Delegates of the other Colonies in 
Continental Congress in the most rigorous measures for sup- 
porting the just rights and Hberties of America. And, if you 
shall judge it necessary and expedient for this purpose, we 
empower you to join with them in declaring the United 
Colonies independent of Great Britain, entering into a con- 
federacy for union and common defence, making treaties 
with foreign nations for commerce and assistance, and to 
take such other measures as to them and you may appear 
necessary for these great ends, promising to svipport them 
with the whole force of this Province ; always observing that, 
whatever plan of confederacy you enter into, the regulating 
the internal police of this Province is to be reserved to the 
Colony Legislature." 



234 THE BIRTH OF THE EEPUBLIC. 

DELAWARE. 

Delaware, though settled many years in advance of Penn- 
Rvlvania was annexed to the larger Colony shortly after the 
omanization of the latter. But as early as 1702 they were 
finally separated, except that both Colonies remanied under 
the proprietary governors, the descendants of William 
Penn until the Revolution. Prior to that period the Colony 
had usually been styled "The three lower counties, New 
Castle Kent and Sussex on the Delaware;" but when it 
threw off the Colonial government, its people abandoned the 
clumsy practice of naming all the counties every time allu- 
sion was made to it, and the single word Delaware was 
adopted as expressive of the idea of one people under one 
government. No Colony was more prompt or determined 
m resistance of British aggression upon the rights of British 
America than Delaware. In 1769, her Assembly adopted 
the Virginia resolves against the right of Parliament to tax 
the Colonies; and as the following manifestations of popular 
sentiment will show, she bore her full share in the burthens 
and sacrifices of the Revolution : 

Delaicare Convention. 

"Auctnst 1, 1774. 

"Tlie Representatives of the freemen of the Government 
of the counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex upon Dela- 
ware met at New Castle, in pursuance of circular-letters 
from the Speaker of the House, who was requested to write 
and forward the same to the several members of the As- 
sembly, by the Committees of Correspondence for the sev- 
eral counties aforesaid, chosen and appointed for that among 
other purposes by the freeholders and freemen of the said 
counties respectively. 

"Present : For the county of New Castle, Thomas McKean, 
John Evans, John ]\IcKinly, James Latimer, George Read, 
Alexander Porter; for the county of Kent, Charles Ridgely, 
William Killen, Caesar Rodney, Thomas Collins; for the 
county of Sussex, Thomas Robinson, Levin Cropper, Boaz 
Manlove, John Wiltbank, Stephen Townsond ;— who im- 
mediately proceed to the choice of a chairman, and Caesar 
Rodney, Esquire,was chosen chairman, nemine contradicente, 
and David Thompson, Esquire, clerk. The resolves of the 
several committees appointed by the inhabitants of these 
counties respectively were read, and follow in these words, 
to wit : 

" At a general meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants 
of the county of New Castle on Delaware, at New Castle, 
tl)o 29th of June, 1774, 

"Thomas McKean, Esquire, chairman, 

" Resolved, 1. That the act of Parliament for shutting up 



THE BIETII OF THE REPITBLW. 

the port of Boston is iinconstitntional, oppressive to the in- 
habitants of that town, dangerous to tlie liberties of the 
British Colonies, and that therefore we consider our breth- 
ren at Boston as suffering in the common cause of America. 

' ' 2. That a Congress of deputies from the several Colonies in 
North America is the most probable and proper mode of 
procuring relief for our suffering brethren, obtaining redress 
for American grievances, securing our rights and liberties, 
and re-establishing peace and harmony between Great Brit- 
ain and these Colonies on a Constitutional foundation. 

' ' 3. That a respectable committee be immediately appointed 
for the county of New Castle, to correspond with the sister- 
Colonies and with the other counties in this Government, 
in order that all my unite in promoting and endeavoring to 
obtain the great and valuable end mentioned in the foregoing 
resolution." 

Kent County Resolutions. 

The freeholders and other inhabitants of Kent county on 
Delaware, now assembled at the Court-house in the town of 
Dover, this 20th day of July, anno domini 1774, taking into 
their most serious consideration sundry acts of the British 
Parliament in which their power and right to impose duties 
and taxes on his Majesty's subjects in the British Colonies 
and Plantations in America, for the purpose of raising a 
revenue, are declared, attempted to be exercised, and in 
various ways enforced and carried into execution; more 
especially the act depriving the great and lately flourishing 
town of Boston of all trade whatsoever, by shutting up their 
port and harbor with a formidable fleet and army, — 

" Resolved, nemine contradicente, 1. That we do acknowl- 
edge, recognize, and most expressly declare his Majesty 
King George the Third to be lawful and rightful King of 
Great Britain and all other his dominions and countries; 
and that it is the indispensable duty of the people of this 
county, as being part of liis Majesty's dominions, always to 
bear faithful and true allegiance to his Majesty, and him to 
defend to the utmost of their power against all attempts upon 
his person. Crown, or dignity. 

"Resolved, nemine contradicente, 2. That the act of Parlia- 
ment for shutting up the port of Boston is unconstitutional, 
oppressive to the inhabitants of that town, dangerous to the 
liberties of the British Colonies, and that therefore we con- 
sider our brethren at Boston as suffering in the common 
cause of America. 

"Resolved, nemine contradicente, 3. That a congress of 
deputies from the sevci'al Colonies in North Amei-ica is the 
most probable and proper mode of pi-ocuring relief for our 
suffering brethren, obtaining redress of American grievances, 
securing our rights and liberties, and re-establishing har- 



23G TUE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

mony between Great Britain and these Colonies on a Con- 
stitutional foundation. 

"Resolved, nemine contradicente, 4. That a respectable 
committee be immediately appointed for the county of Kent, 
to correspond Avith the committees of the sister-Colonies and 
the other counties in the Government, in order that all may 
unite in promoting and endeavoring to obtain the great and 
valuable end mentioned in the foregoing resolution. 

"Resolved, nemine contradicente, 6. That the committee 
now to be appointed consist of thirteen persons — to wit: 
Charles Ridgely, William Killen, Csesar Rodney, John 
Haslet, John Clarke, Thomas Collins, Esquires, Jacob Stout, 
Es(iuire, James Sykes, Esquire, James Wells, Thomas Rod- 
ney, Richard Bassett, Esquire, Richard Lock wood. Esquire, 
and Zadock Crapper, Esquire,— and that seven of them 
may act. 

"Resolved, nemine contradicente, 7. That the said com- 
mittee immediately set on foot a subscription for the relief 
of such poor inhabitants of the town of Boston as may be 
deprived of the means of sustenance by the act of Parlia- 
ment commonly called the Boston Port Bill; the money 
arising from such subscription to be laid out as the com- 
mittee shall think will best answer the ends proposed. 
, "Resolved, nemine contradicente, 8. That the inhabitants 
of this county do agree with their brethren of New Castle 
County, in adopting and carrying into execution all and 
singular such peaceable and Constitutional measures as 
sliall be agreed on by a majority of the Colonies by their 
deputies at the intended Congress, and will have no trade, 
commerce, or dealings whatsoever with that Province, city, 
or town on this continent (if any such should be), or with 
any individual therein, who shall refuse to adopt the same, 
until the before-mentioned act of Parliament, and two bills 
respecting the Province of Massachusetts Bay depending in 
ParUament (if passed into acts), are repealed. 

"Resolved, nemine contradicente, 9. That this committee 
embrace this public opportunity to testify their gi-atitude 
and most cordial thanks to the patrons and friends of liberty 
in Great Britain, for their patriotic efforts to prevent the 
present calamity of America." 

Sussex County {Del.) Resolutions. 

" At a general meeting of the freeholders and other inhab- 
itants of the county of Sussex on Delaware, at the Court- 
V.'m ^^ Lewistown, on Saturday, the 23d of July, 1774— 
"This assembly, taking into their very serious considera- 
tion the present very critical situation of America; of the 
exckisiye right of the Colonists of imposing taxes upon 
themselves; of the invasion of that right by the statute of 
bixtli George the Third, chapter twelve, by which statute 
and sundry others the Parliament of Great Britain have 



TEE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 237 

assumed the power of making laws to bind the Colonies 
without then- consent either by themselves or by their rep- 
resentatives ; a recent instance of which is exhibited in a 
late statute commonly caUed the Boston Port Bill- there- 
fore m order to collect the voice and sentiments of this as- 
sembly, the following articles were proposed, voted and 
agreed to : ^ x , , ^i 

" }' ^^^^^ ^^-"^ inhabitants of this county owe and will 
P^y due allegiance to his Majesty King George the Third 

Z Ihat It 18 the inherent right of British subjects to be 
taxed by their own consent, or by representatives chosen 
by themselves only ; and that every act of the British Par- 
liament respecting the internal poHce of North America is 
unconstitutional and an invasion of our just rights and 
privileges. ^ 

" '3. That the late act of Parliament inflicting pains and 
penalties on the town of Boston by blocking up their har- 
bor IS a precedent justly alarming to the British Colonies in 
America, and utterly inconsistent with and subversive of 
their Constitutional rights and liberties. 
• AT ^-J^^^"^ ^ Congress of deputies from the several Colonies 
m JNorth America is the most probable and proper mode of 
obtaining redress of American grievances, securing our 
rights and hberties, and re-estabhshing peace and hannonv 
between Great Britain and these Colonies on a Constitu- 
tional foundation. 

'"5. That the inhabitants of this county will adopt and 
carry into execution all and singular such peaceable and 
H°R^ ^^^*?°".^^ measures as shall be agreed on by a maioritv 

u .^^mu "^^^ ^y ^^^®^^' deputies at the intended Congress 
7. ihat It IS our opinion that it would conduce to the 
restoration of the liberties of America should the Colonies 
enter into joint agreement not to import any article of 
iiritish manufacture or carry on any branch of trade un- 
less under such restrictions as may be agreed upon by the 
Congress. x j 

"'8. That the committee hereinafter appointed are hereby 
desired to receive the subscriptions of such charitable per- 
f^?"'^.^-".*"^^ county who shall incline to contribute towards 
the distressed and suffering inhabitants of the town of Bos- 
ton; and that the money raised by such subscriptions be 
disposed of by the said committee for the use of the said in- 
liabitants, whom we consider as suffering m the common 
cause of America.' '^ 

Delaware Convention. 

. , . Aug. 2, 1774. 

At a meeting of the representatives of the freemen of 
the government of the counties of New Castle, Kent and 
bussex upon Delaware on the 2d of August, 1774 a m it 
was unammously resolved to instruct the deputies then ap- 



238 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

pointed in behalf of the people of the said Government to 
attend the general Congress, that they do endeavor to pre- 
vail with the deputies of the other Colonies and Provinces at 
the general Congress, to adopt the following or similar reso- 
lutions: 

" 1, In the first place, that we most solemnly and smcerely 
promise and declare that we do and will bear faith and true 
allegiance to his most sacred Majesty King George the 
Third, our most gracious sovereign and rightful liege and 
lord; that we will upon true revolution principles, and to 
the utmost of our power, support and defend the Protestant 
succession as established in the illustrious House of Han- 
over; and it is our most earnest desire that the connection 
which subsists between Great Britain and her Colonies, 
whereby they are made one people, may continue to the 
latest period of time. 

"2. That the subjects of his Majesty in the British-Ameri- 
can Colonics have had, and of right ought to have and en- 
joy, all the liberties, privileges, and immunities of free and 
natural born subjects within any of his Majesty's dominions, 
as fuU and amply as if they and every one of them were 
born within the realm of England ; that they have a prop- 
erty in their own estates, and are to be taxed by their own 
consent only, given in person, or by their Representatives, 
and not to be disseized of their liberties and free customs, 
sentenced or condemned, but by lawful judgment of their 
peers. 

"3. That the only Representatives of the freemen in the 
several Colonies are persons they elect to serve in the Gen- 
eral Assembly thereof, and that it is the just right and priv- 
ilege of the said freemen to be governed by laws made by 
their General Assembly, in the article of taxation, and in- 
ternal police. 

" 4. That all trials for treason, misprison of treason, or for 
any felony or crime whatsoever, committed or done in the 
said Colonies ought of right to be had and conducted in his 
Majesty's courts held within the same, according to the 
fixed and known course of proceeding ; and that the seizing 
any person or persons suspected of any crime whatsoever, 
committed in them, and sending such person or persons to 
places beyond the seas to be tried, is highly derogatory of the 
rights of British subjects, as thereby the inestimable privi- 
lege of being tried by a jury from the vicinage, as well as 
the hberty of summoning and producing witnesses on such 
trials, will be taken away from the party accused. 

^' u^i?-* ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ proceedings of the British Parliament 
tor prohibiting and restraining American manufactures, im- 
posing taxes on the British Colonies, extending the powers 
ot Custom House officers and Admiralty courts here, beyond 
their ancient hmits, and seizing and sending persons sus- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 239 

pected of committing treason or misprision of treason in 
these Colonies, to England for trial, are unwarrantable as- 
sumptions of power, unconstitutional, and destructive of 
British liberty. 

" 6. That the successive acts of Parliament made in the last 
session, for inflicting pains and penalties on the town of Bos- 
ton, by shutting up their port and blocking up theu" harbor ; 
for altering the administration of justice in certain criminal 
cases within the Province of Massachusetts Bay ; and for 
new modelling of the Constitution of that Province, estab- 
lished by royal Charter, are in the highest degree arbitrary 
in their principles, unparalleled in their rigor, oppressive in 
their operation, and subversive of every idea of justice and 
freedom. 

' ' 7. That it is the indispensable duty of all the Colonies not 
only to alleviate the unexampled distresses of our brethren 
of Massachusetts Bay, who are suffering in the common 
cause of America, but to assist them by all lawful means in 
removing their grievances, and for re-establishing their con- 
stitutional rights, as well as those of America, on a solid and 
permanent foundation. 

"C^SAR EoDNEY, Chairman.'''' 

August 2, P.M. 

" The convention met according to adjournment. 

' ' And several letters from the respective Committees of 
Correspondence of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, the 
Dominion of Virginia, the Colonies of Ehode Island, South 
Carolina, and Maryland being read, and the convention 
taking the same into consideration, together with the pro- 
ceedings of the freemen of the counties aforesaid, unani- 
mously entered into the following resolutions, to wit: 

"'We, the representatives aforesaid, by virtue of the 
power delegated to us as aforesaid, taking into our most 
serious consideration the several acts of the British Parlia- 
ment for restraining manufactures in his Majesty's Planta- 
tions and Colonies in North America ; for taking away the 
property of the Colonists without tlieir pai'ticipation or con- 
sent; for the introduction of the arbitrary powers of the 
excise into the customs here; for the making all revenue 
causes triable without jury, and under the decision of a 
single dependent judge, for the trial in England of persons 
accused of capital crimes committed in the Colonies; for 
shutting up the port of Boston ; for new modelling the Gov- 
ernment of Massachusetts Bay; and the operation of the 
same on the property, liberty, and lives of the Colonists, — 
and also considering that the most eligible mode of deter- 
mining upon the premises, and of endeavoring to procure 
relief and redress of our grievances, would have been by us 
assembled in a legislative capacity; but as the House had 



240 THE BIRTU OF THE BEPUBLIC. 

adjourned to the 30th day of September next, and it is not 
to be expected his Honor the Governor would call us by 
■writs of summons on this occasion, having refused to do the 
like m his other Province of Pennsylvania— the next and most 
proper method of answering the expectations and desires of 
our constituents, and of contributing our aid to the general 
cause of America, is to appoint commissioners or deputies 
on behalf of the people of this Government to meet and act 
with those appointed by the other Provinces in general Con- 
gress. And we do therefore unanimously nominate and 
appomt Coesar Rodney, Thomas McKean, and George Read, 
Esqi-s., or any two of them, deputies on the part and behalf 
of tnis Government in a general Continental Congress pro- 
posed to be held at the city of Philadelphia on the first 
Slonday in September next, or at any other time and place 
that may be generally agreed on, then and there to consult 
and advise with the deputies from the other Colonies, and 
to determine upon all such prudent and lawful measures as 
may be judged most expedient for the Colonies immediately 
and unitedly to adopt, in order to obtain relief for an op- 
pressed people, and the redress of our general grievances.' 
" Signed by order of the convention, 

"CiESAR Rodney, Chairman.^' 

Neiv Castle County (Del.) Committee. 

"December 5, 1774. 

" The committee chosen in the several hundreds of this 
county on the 2Sth of last month, in pursuance of notice for 
that purpose given, this day assembled at the Court-house 
in the town of New Castle, and unanimously chose 

"John McKinly, Esq., chairman ; 

" David Thompson, clerk. 

" On motion, by order of the association entered into by 
the Continental Congress at the city of Pliiladelphia on the 
fifth day of September last, was read, and the committee 
taking the same into consideration. Resolved, That this com- 
mittee highly approve the said association, and earnestly 
recommend to their constituents a strict and due obsei-vance 
thereof." 

" Delaware Assembly, ) 
Monday, March 13, 1775. ) 

" The House met at New Castle pursuant to their adjourn- 
ment (on the 2Gth of October last), and adjourned tUl to- 
morrow morning ten o'clock. " 

" Tuesday, March 14, 1775. 

" Messrs. George Read, Thomas McKean, and John Clarke, 
members of this House, w^io were absent at the beginning 
of thLs session, now apiieared in the house, took and sub- 
scribed to the usual quaUfications, and took their seats ac- 
cordmgly. 



THE BIRTE OF THE REPUBLIC. 241 

*' Mr. McKean informed the house that the late represen- 
tatives of the freemen of this government met in convention 
at New Castle on the first and second days of August last, 
and among other things nominated and appointed the Hon- 
orable Caesar Eodney, Esq., George Read, Esq., and him- 
self, or any two of them, deputies or delegates on the part and 
in behalf of this government, in a General Continental Con- 
gress, then proposed to be held at the City of Philadelphia, 
on the first Monday in September following, or at axvy other 
time or place that might be generally agreed on, then and 
there to consult and advise with the deputies from the other 
Colonies, and to determine upon aU such prudent and lawful 
measures as might be judged most expedient for the Colo- 
nies immediately and unitedly to adopt in order to obtain re- 
lief for an oppressed people, and the redress of our general 
grievances; that the proceedings of which Convention being 
delivered in at the table, the same were by order read. 
He then proceeded to inform the house that they, the said 
Csesar Rodney, George Read, and himself, repaired to the 
City of Philadelphia according to appointment, and that the 
Congress had agreed to the several particulars conta,ined in 
a printed pamphlet entitled ' The Journal of the Proceedings 
of the Congress held at Philadelphia, September 5th, 1774,' 
and certified to be a genuine and exact copy of the original 
by Charles Thompson, their secretary, which he delivered in 
at the table for the perusal and consideration of the house. 

" Ordered, That the same be read. 

"And the same was done accordingly. 

"Resolved, That the same be detained under considera- 
tion till to-morrow morning. 

" Then the house adjourned till to-morrow morning at 10 
o'clock," 

" Wednesday, March 15, a.m. 

" The house resumed the consideration of the proceedings 
of the late convention and of the Continental Congress, and 
after due deliberation, 

"Resolved, nemine contradicente, That this house do ap- 
prove of the conduct of the late representatives of this gov- 
ernment in their said convention, and of their appointment 
of the said Caesar Rodney, Thomas McKean, and George 
Read, as deputies on the part and in behalf of this govern- 
ment, 

"Resolved, nemine contradicente, That this house do ap- 
prove of the proceedings of the late Congress held at the city 
of Philadelphia, and of the conduct of the gentlemen sc^- 
pointed deputies to attend the same on the part of this gov- 
ernment. 

" On motion of Mr, Ridgely, that a committee be appointed 
to prepare and bring in a bill to prohibit the importation of 
slaves into this government, 



242 THE BIBTn OF THE BErUBLIC. 

" Ordered, That Messrs. Ridgely, Eead, and Clewes be a 
committee for that purpose. . -, , ^, 

" On motion, Ordered, That Messrs. Eidgely, Clewes, and 
Clark be a committee to wait upon his Honor, the Gov- 
ernor, with the bill to prohibit the importation of slaves into 
this government, to which his Honor cannot give his 
assent." 

" Delaware Assembly. 

"In the House of Representatives for the counties of New- 
Castle, Kent, and Sussex upon Delaware, at New Castle, 
Friday, June 14, 1776, a.m. 

" Mr. McKean delivered in at the chair a certified copy 
of a resolution of Congress of the 15th of May last, which 
was by order read, and is in the words following, to wit : 

" 'In Congress, May 15, 1776. 
" 'Whereas, His Britannick Majesty, in connection with 
the Lords and Commons of Great Britain, has by a late Act 
of Parliament excluded the inhabitants of these United Col- 
onies from the protection of his Crown; and whereas, no an- 
swer whatever to the humble petitions of the Colonies for 
redress of grievances and reconciliation with Great Britain 
has been or is likely to be given, but the whole force of that 
kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, is to be exerted for 
the destruction of the good people of these Colonies; and 
whereas, it appears absolutely irreconcilable to reason and 
good conscience for the people of these Colonies now to take 
the oaths and affirmations necessary for the support of any 
government under the Crown of Great Britain, and it is nec- 
essary that the exercise of every kind of authority under 
the said Crown should be totally suppressed, and all the 
power of government exerted under the authority of the 
people of the Colonies for the preservation of internal peace, 
vn-tue, and good order, as well as for the defence of their 
lives, liberties, and properties, against the hostile and cruel 
depredations of their enemies: Therefore, Resolved, That 
it be recommended to the respective assemblies and conven- 
tions of the united Colonies, where no government sufficient 
to the exigencies of their affairs has been hitherto established, 
to adopt such government as shall, in the opinion of the rep- 
resentatives of the people, best conduce to the happiness and 
satety of their constituents in particular, and America in 
general. 

Extract from the minutes. 
u-a -1 "'Charles Thompson, Secretary.'' 

Jiy special order, the same was read a second time and, 
on motion, 

+1," '-^^^^^^^^ imanimously. That this house do approve of 
the said resolution of Congress.' 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIG. 243 

^^ ^^j, _ " Saturday, June 15, p.m. 

Whereas, It is become absolutely necessary for the 
safety, protection, and happiness of the good people of this 
Colony forthwith to establish some authority adequate to 
the exigencies of their affairs, until a new government can 
?n fhw ' and whereas the representatives of the people 
in this Assembly met, alone can and ought at this time to 
establish such temporary authority • 

^ "^e^olyfd unanimously, That all persons holding any 
office, civil or military, in this Colony, on the 13th day of 
June instant may and shall continue to execute the saiS hi 
the name of the government of the counties of New Castle 
Kent, and Sussex upon Delaware, as they used leeallv to 
exercise m the name of the King, until a new government 
tt'^L'thofXy'lSir^"^^ '^ "" ^-^^^^"^^^^ of ingress of 
"Extract from the minutes. 

"James Booth, Clerk of Assembly.'' 

The instructions of the Delaware Assembly to their dele- 

ga es m the Continental Congress, authorizing them to vote 

for independence, seem to be lost; but there can be no 

doubt of the fact. The delegates voted for and signed the 

S'june iTl 9"fi*^f '? "^ ^l''fn^ ^^"^ ^ ^''^^''' ^^ John Adams? 
-\?V ' ?'^' H^'^™V^^ ^^'^^^^ contains this statement: 
hv wM?r^ Y^ returned from the ' Lower Counties ' [a title 
by which Delaware was known] with full powers Their 
mstructions ai-e m the same words with the new ones to the 
Delegates of Pennsylvania." 



MARYLAND. 



The Colony of Maryland, after the disposal of the Stamp 
Act, was for sonie years involved in local controversies 
which absorbed the attention of the people, to the exclusion 
of those which were soon to involve her and her sisters in a 
war with the mother-country. She did not fail however to 
jomthemm protesting against the tax imposed by Parlia- 
ment, m 176G, on tea, and other articles ^ 

At their session in 17G8, says McMahon, " the transactions 
ot this house, at this session, in opposition to the new system 
of taxation, were characterized by the same unanimity 
which marked the proceedings of the Assembly inresistanci 
to the Stamp Act; and their memorials in vindication of 

diS^ifiif T? ""-^ "^^ T""^ ^'™ ^"*^ temperate, fearless and 
dignified. Their resolves assert, as the exclusive right of 
the Assembly, the power to impose taxes and to regulate 

f ,^?innif "nVP°^'^^ ^^-^^'^ ^^^■"''y ' ^^^ denounce as unconst? 
tutional all taxes or impositions i)roceeding from any other 
autaority. Their petition to the King may safely challenge 
a comparison with any simHar pape? of that period, as la 



244 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

eloquent and affecting appeal to the Crown." The non-im- 
portation agreements having been effectual in bringing 
about the repeal of the Stamp Act, "the proposition to re- 
vive it at this period," says McMahon, " originated with one 
of the political clubs of Boston, and, as early as October, 
17G7, it received the sanction of a public meeting in that 
city,' over which the distinguished James Otis presided as 
moderator. For reasons for which it is not necessary to de- 
tail, it did not then enlist the concurrence of the other cities, 
and was soon abandoned by the Bostonians themselves. 
But if then premature, it was now the last peaceable resort. 
Remonstrances had failed, and petitions were called fac- 
tious. The proposition was therefore revived in April, 1768; 
and letters were then addressed by several merchants of 
Boston and New York to the merchants of Philadelphia, 
sohciting their concurrence in its adoption. By the latter it 
was declined as still premature, but the design was not 
therefore abandoned. On the 1st of August, 1768, a non- 
importation association was formed in Boston, which was 
followed in the course of that month by similar associations 
in New York and Connecticut. The measure was not, how- 
ever, adopted until the ensuing session of Parliament had 
dispelled all hopes of relief from the justice of England. 
Abandoning their scruples upon the results of that session, 
the merchants of Philadelphia acceded to the associatioTi in 
April. 1769; and theii- acconsion was immediately followed 
by that of Maryland and Virginia. 

' ' In Maryland there had been previously several county as- 
sociations of this description ; but it was now deemed neces- 
sary to give them a more imposing character and effective op- 
eration. At the solicitation of many gentlemen of the differ- 
ent counties, a circular was therefore addressed, on the 9th 
of May, 1769, by Messrs. Dick and Stewart, McCubbin, Wal- 
lace, and W. Stewart, merchants of Annapolis, to the people 
of the several counties, inviting a general meeting of the 
merchants and others of that place, '' for the purpose of con- 
sulting on the most effectual means of promoting frugality, 
and lessening the future importation of goods from Great 
Britain." The meeting was accordingly held on the 20th 
June, 1769, and was very fully attended. A n on -importation 
association was then established bv that meeting, for the 
whole Province, which was similar in its general character 
and objects to those of the other Colonies." 

Chestertown, Kent. Co. (Mel), Resolutions. 

"May 18, 1774. 
"It must be universally allowed that the essential circum- 
stance which constitutes the political happiness of a free 
people consists in thoir being govenicd by laws of their own 
makmg, or to which their consent is given by delegates of 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 245 

their own choice and nomination. This maxim, founded on 
the genms of the British Constitution,— the most perfect un- 
der Heaven,— cannot be supposed partial or confined but 
must be as extensively diffusive in its benign operations as 
are the regions subordinate to, and claiming protection un- 
der, that constitution. 

" The act of Parliament, therefore, subjecting the British 
Colonies m Amenca to the payment of a duty on tea for the 
purpose of raismg a revenue being passed without their con- 
sent, and calculated to enslave them, cannot but be deemed 
unconstitutional and oppressive; from whence it clearly fol- 
lows that It highly behooves the Americans, as loyal and 
free-born subjects of Great Britain, to take every prudent 
and justififAle measure in order to evade its baneful effects 
thus to baffle the designs of a corrupt and despotic Min- 
istry. Our brethren of the northern Colonies have al- 
ready declared their opposition to this act; and as it 
equally affects the good people of this loyal Province of 
Maryland, a number of respectable gentlemen, friends to 
liberty met at a public house in Chestertown, on Friday 
the 13th of May, 1774, when a chairman was chosen a com- 
mittee appointed, and it was agreed upon to have a gen- 
eral meetmg of the inhabitants of the county on Wednesday 
the 18th of the same month, to declare their sentiments re- 
specting the importation of tea while subject to a duty A 
numerous and very respectable meeting was accordingly 
held, when the committee was enlarged and the following 
resolutions were repeatedly read and unanimously agreed 
to, viz. : "' ® 

" ' 1st. Eesolved, That we acknowledge his Majesty George 
the Third Bang of Great Britain. France, and Ireland, to be 
our rightful and lawful sovereign, to whom we owe and 
promise all dutiful allegiance and submission. 

" '2d. Resolved, That no duties or taxes can constitution- 
ally be imposed on us but by our own consent, given per- 
sonally or by our representatives. 

r'li''^^;,.P®'^i^!y®^' ^^^* ^^^® ^ct of the British Parliament, 
of the ^th of George the Third (chapter 46), subjecting the 
Colonies to the payment of a duty on tea, for the purpose of 
raising a revenue in America, is unconstitutional, oppres- 
sive, and calculated to enslave the Americans. 

" ' 4th. Resolved, therefore. That whoever shall import or 
m any way aid or assist in importing or introducing from 
any part of Great Britain, or any other place whatsoever, 
into this town or county, any tea subject to the pavment of 
any duty imposed by the aforesaid act of Parliament- or 
whoever shall willingly and knowingly sell, buy or con- 
sume or in any way assist in the sale, purchase', or con- 
sumption of any tea imported as aforesaid subject to a duty 



24C THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

he or they shall be stigmatized as enemies to the liberties of 
America. 

" ' 5th. Eesolved, That we will not only steadily adhere to 
the foregoing resolves, but will endeavor to excite our 
worthy neighbors to a like patriotic conduct ; and whoever 
among us shall refuse his concurrence, or after complying 
shall desert the cause and knowingly deviate from the true 
spirit and meaning of these, our resolutions, we will mark 
him out as inimical to the liberties of America, an unworthy 
member of the community, and a person not deserving our 
notice or regard. 

" 'Gth. Eesolved, That the foregoing resolves be printed, 
that our brethren in this and the other Colonies may know 
our sentiments as they are therein contained.' 

" Signed by order of the committee, 

"W. Wright, Cleric.'' 

" N. B.— The above resolves were entered into upon a dis- 
covery of the late importation of the dutiable tea (in the 
brigantine Geddes, of this port) for some of the neighbor- 
ing counties. Further measures are in contemplation in 
consequence of a late and very alarmmg act of Parliament." 

Talbot Court House {Md.) Meeting. 

" May 34, 1774. 

"Alarmed at the present situation of America, and im- 
pressed Avith the most tender feelings for the distresses of 
their brethren and fellow-subjects in Boston, a niunber of 
gentlemen having met at this ])lace, took into their serious 
consideration the part they ought to act as friends to liberty 
and to the general interests of mankind: 

"To preserve the rights and to secure the property of the 
subject, they apprehend is the end of government. But 
when those rights are invaded ; when the mode prescribed 
by the laws for the punishment of offences and obtaining 
.lustice is disregarded and spurned; when, without being 
heard in then- defence, force is employed and the severest 
penalties mflictod,— the people, they clearly conceive, have a 
right not only to complain, but likewise to exert their ut- 
most endeavors to prevent the effect of such measures as 
may be adopted by a weak or corrupt Ministry to destroy 
their liberties, deprive them of their property, and rob them 
of their dearest birth-right as Britons. 

' Impressed with the warmest zeal for and loyalty to their 
most gracious sovereign, and with the most sincere affection 
l..r their fe low-subjects in Great Britain, they are deter- 
mine.l calnily and steadily to unite with their fellow-sub- 
jocts in pursuing every legal and constitutional measure, to 
avert the evils threatened by tlie late act of Parliament for 
abutting up the port and harbor of Boston, to support the 



THE niRTn OF THE REPUBLIC. 24:1 

common rights of America, and to pi-omote that union and 
harmony between the mother-country and her Colonies, on 
which the preservation of both must finally depend," 

Annapolis, *Anne Arundel Co. (Md.), Meeting. 

" May 20, 1774. 

"At a meeting of the inhabitants of the city of Annap- 
olis on Wednesday, the 23d day of May, 1774, after notice 
given of the time, place, and occasion of this meeting: 

" Eesolved, That it is the unanimous opinion of this meet- 
ing that the town of Boston is now suffering in the common 
cause of America, and that it is incumbent on every Colony 
in North America to unite in effectual means to obtain a re- 
peal of the late act of Parliament for blocking up the har- 
bor of Boston. 

" That it is the opinion of this meeting that if the Colonies 
come into a joint resolution to stoj) all importations from, 
and exportations to. Great Britain, till said act be repealed, 
the same will preserve North America and her liberties. 

"Resolved, therefore, That the inhabitants of this city 
■will join in an association with the several counties of this 
Province and the principal Colonies of America, to put an 
immediate stop to all exports to Great Britain, and that 
after a short day hereafter to be agreed on that there be no 
imports from Great Britain till said act be repealed, and 
that such association be on oath. 

" That it is the opinion of this meeting that the gentlemen 
of the law of this Province bring no suit for the recovery of 
any debt due from any inhabitant of this Province to any 
inhabitant of Great Britain until the said act be repealed. 

"That the inhabitants of this city will, and it is the opin- 
ion of this meeting that this Province ought immediately to 
break off all trade and dealings with that Colony or Prov- 
ince which shall refuse or decline to come into similar reso- 
lutions with a majority of the Colonies. 

"That Messrs. John Hall, Charles Carroll, Thomas John- 
son, Jr., William Paca, Matthias Hammond, and Samuel 
Chase be a committee for this city to join with those who 
shall be appointed for Baltimore town and other parts of 
this Province to constitute one general committee, and that 
the gentlemen appointed for this city immediately corre- 
spond with Baltimore town and other parts of this Province 
to effect such association as will best secure American 
liberty." 

An earnest protest was made a day or two later by a 
large number of citizens in the following resolution, which 
is among the above : 

"That it is tlie opinion of this meeting that the gentlemen 
of the law of this Province bring no suit for the recovery of 



248 rilE BIRTH OP THE REPUBLIC. 

any debt due from any inhabitant of this Province to any 
inhabitant of Great Britain until the said act be repealed." 

Queen Anne (Md.) Resolutions. 

"At a meeting of a considerable number of the Magistrates, 
and other the most respectable inhabitants of Queen Anne's 
County, at Queenstown, on the thirtieth day of May, 1774, 
in order to deliberate upon the tendency and effect of the 
act of Parliament for blocking up the port of Boston, That 
they look upon the cause of Boston, in its consequences, to 
be the common cause of America. 

" That the act of Parliament for blocking up the port and 
harbor of Boston appears to them a cruel and oppressive 
invasion of their natural rights as men, and constitutional 
rights as English subjects, and if not repealed wUl be a 
foundation for the utter destruction of American freedom. 

' ' That all legal and constitutional means ought to be used by 
all America for procuring a repeal of the said act of Parlia- 
ment. That the only effectual means of obtaining such re- 
peal, they are at present of opinion, is an association, under 
the strongest ties, for breaking off all commercial connections 
with Great Britain until the said act of Parliament be re- 
pealed, and the right assumed by Parliament for taxing 
America in all cases whatsoever be given up, and American 
freedom ascertained and settled upon a permanent consti- 
tutional foundation." 

Baltimore County Resolutions, 

"At a meeting of the freeholders, gentlemen, merchants, 
tradesmen, and other inhabitants of Baltimore County, held 
at the Court House of said county, on Tuesday, the 31st of 
May, 1774, 

"Captain Charles Ridgely, Chairman, 

" 1st. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting that 
the town of Boston is now suffering in the common cause of 
America, and that it is the duty of every Colony in America 
to unite in the most effectual m'eans to obtain a repeal of the 
late act of Parliament for blocking up the harbor of Boston. 
(Dissentient, three.) 

"2(1. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting that 
if the Colonies come into a joint resolution to stop importa- 
tions from and exportations to Great Britain and the West 
In.hcs, until the act for blocking up the harbor of Boston 
bo re[)ealed, the same may be the means of preserving North 
America m her liberties. (Dissentient, three.) 

; ' ;3d. Resolved , That therefore the inhabitants of this county 
will join in an as'^ociation with the several counties in this 
1 rovince and the principal Colonies in America to put a 
stop to exports to Great Britaui and the West Indies, after 



VBB Blttra OP TBB REPUBLIC. S4g 

the 1st day of October next, or such other dav as mnv !,„ 
agreed on, and to put a stop to the imports'^ froi^S-e»t 
Bntain after the first day of December next or«?,?i, „iu'^* 
•J^yaf maybe agreed upon, untnlbe saM act sM b *'i?'' 
reSt?'S„'^'f ^"* -^--«» shaUbeiprn*S.' %"£: 

Kent County (Md.) Resohitions 

their fkmihes by te "negation oPfbe*"? *emselves and 
their harbor, opLed'aSS'rrtiot £%,rertiiS°*ffi 'J? 

Anne Arundel County (Md.) Resolutions 
;;Mr Bnee Beale Worthington, Moderator, 

meeLr^tircnfUo^^snu'-tkrisn^^'iji 



250 THE BIRTH OF THE REFXIBLIG. 

Indies till the said act be repealed, the same will be the most 
effectual means to obtain a repeal of the said act, and pre- 
serve North America and her liberties. 

"3, Resolved, therefore, unanimously. That the inhabit- 
ants of this county will join in an association with the several 
counties in this Province and the principal Colonies in 
America to put a stop to exports to Great Britain and the 
West Indies after the ninth day of October next, or such 
other day as may be agreed on, and to put a stop to the im- 
ports of goods not already ordered, and of those ordered 
that shall not be shipped from Great Britain by the 20th day 
of July next, or such other day as may be agreed on, until 
the said act shall be repealed ; and that such association be 
on oath." 

Harford County (Md.) Resolutions. 

" At a meeting of a very considerable and respectable body 
of the inhabitants of Harford County of Maryland, on the 
11th day of June, 1774, 

"AquilaHall, Chairman, 

" 1st. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting that 
the town of Boston is now suffering in the common cause of 
America, and that it is the duty of every Colony to unite in 
the most effectual constitutional means to obtain a repeal of 
the late act of Parliament for blocking up the harbor and 
port of Boston. 

"2d. Resolved, That, therefore, we wOl join in an associa- 
tion with the other counties of this Province, on oath, not 
to export to or import from Great Britain any kind of prod- 
uce or merchandise after such a day as the committees of 
the several counties at their general meeting shall fix, until 
the repeal of the Boston Port Act. 

"3d. Resolved, That we will deal with none of the West 
India Islands, Colony or Colonies, person or persons resid- 
mg therein, who shall not enter into similar resolves with a 
majority of the Colonies, within such time as the general 
committees of this Province shall agree, but hold him or them 
as an enemy or enemies to American liberty." 

Frederick County (Md.) Resolutions. 
"At a meeting of a respectable and numerous body of the 
1^ reeinon of the lower part of Frederick County at Charles 
llungcoford s Tavern, on Saturday, the 11th day of June, 

i; Mr Henry Griffith, Moderator, 
1. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting that 
ine town ot Boston is now suffei-ing in the common cause of 
America. 

"2. Resolved unanimously, That every legal and consti- 



THE niRTII OF THE REPUBLIC. 251 

tutional measure ought to be used by all America for pro- 
curing a repeal of the act of Parliament for blocking up the 
harbor of Boston. 

"3. Resolved unanimously, That it is the opinion of this 
meeting that the most effectual means for securing Ameri- 
can freedom will be to break off all commerce with Great 
Britain and the West Indies, until the said act be repealed 
and the right of taxation given up on permanent principles. " 

Charles County (Md.) Resolutions. 

"At a meeting of the inhabitants of Charles County, on 
the 14th of June, 1774, at the Court-house in Port-Tobacco 
town to deliberate on the effect and tendency of the act of 
Parliament for blocking up the port and harbor of Boston, 

"Mr. Walter Hanson unanimously chosen chairman, 

" 1st. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting that 
the act of the British Parliament passed to block up the 
harbor and port of Boston and suspend the trade and com- 
merce of that town is a violent attack upon the liberty and 
property of the inhabitants thereof, and in its consequences 
tends to render insecure and destroy the rights and iDrivi- 
leges of all British America. 

"2d. That the town of Boston now suffering under the 
execution of the said act justly demands the most speedy 
and effectual assistance of every Colony in America to ob- 
tain a repeal of the same. 

"3d. That the inhabitants of this county will join in an 
association with the several counties of this Province to put 
a stop to all imports from Great Britain after the first day 
of August next, except the articles of medicine, until the 
said act be repealed. 

"4th. That if the said act of Parliament is not repealed by 
the 31st day of October, in the year 1775, that then the in- 
habitants of this county will join with the several counties 
of this Province and the principal Colonies in America, to 
break off all commercial connection with Great Britain and 
the West Indies." 

Caroline County {Md.) Resolutions. 

"At a meeting of respectable inhabitants of Caroline 
county at Mellville's warehouse, on Saturday the 18th day 
of June, 1774, by adjournment from Wednesday the 8th of 
the same month, 

" Charles Dickinson, Esq., in the chair, 

"1st. Resolved, That the inhabitants of this county are 
by duty and inclination firmly attached to his most sacred 
Majesty King George the Third, to whom they owe all due 
obedience and allegiance. 

"2d. That it is the unanimous opinion of this meeting that 



252 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIO. 

the Boston Port Act is principally grounded on the oppo- 
sition made hy the inhabitants of that town to the tea duty; 
that the said town of Boston is now suffering in the com- 
mon cause of British America, and that it is the duty of 
every Colony thereof to unite in the most effectual means 
to obtain a repeal of the late act of Parliament for shutting 
up the port of Boston. 

"3d. That it is the unanimous opinion of this meeting 
that if the Colonies come into a resohition to forbear all 
importations whatsoever from Great Britain (except such 
articles as are absolutely necessary) until the acts of Parlia- 
ment for shutting up the port of Boston and for levying a 
duty on America for the express purpose of raising a rev- 
enue, shall be repealed, it will be the means of preserving 
the liberties of North America." 

Maryland Convention. 

"At a meeting of the committees appointed by the several 
counties of the Province of Maryland, at the city of Annap- 
oUs, the 226. day of June, 1774, and continued by adjourn- 
ment from day to day till the 25 ih day of the same month, 
all the counties represented; 

" Matthew Tilghman, Esquire, chairman; 

"John Duckett chosen clerk; 

"The letter and vote of the town of Boston, several letters 
and papers from Philadelphia and Virginia, the act of Par- 
liament for blocking up the port and harbor of Boston, the 
bUl depending in Parliament subversive of the charter of 
Massachusetts Bay, and the enabling the Governor to send 
supposed offenders from thence to other Colonies or Eng- 
land for trial, were read, and after mature dehberation 
thereon. 

"1st. Resolved, That the said act of Parliament and bills 
if passed into acts are cruel and oppressive invasions of the 
natural rights of the people of the Massachusetts Bay as 
men, and of their constitutional rights as English subjects; 
and that the said act, if not repealed, and the said bills if 
passed into acts, will lay a foundation for the utter destruc- 
tion of British America; and therefore, that the town of 
Boston and Province of Massachusetts Bay are now suffer- 
mg in the common cause of America. 

"2d. Resolved, That it is the duty of every Colony in 
America to unite in the most speedy and effectual means to 
obtain a repeal of the said act, and also of the said bOls if 
pas'^cd into acts. 

+1, '?-i\?^^'^^^^^' "^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^ opinion of this committee 
that It the Colonies come into a joint resolution to stop all 
importations from and exportations to Great Britain, until 
the .^aid a-t or bills, if passed into acts, be repealed, the same 
will be the most speedy and effectual means to obtain a 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 



253 



repeal of the said act or acts and preserve North America 
and her hberties. 

"4th. Resolved, Notwithstanding the people of this Prov- 
ince will have many inconveniences and difficulties to en- 
counter by breaking off their commercial intercourse with 
their mother-country, and are deeply affected at the dis- 
tress which will thereby be necessarily brought on many of 
their fellow-subjects in Great Britain, yet their affections 
and regard to an injured and oppressed sister Colony, their 
duty to themselves, their posterity, and their country, de- 
mand the sacrifice; and therefore that this Province will 
join in an association with the other principal and neigh- 
boring Colonies to stop all exportations to, and importations 
from. Great Britain, until the said act and bills, if passed 
into acts, be repealed; the non-importation and non-expor- 
tation to take place on such future day as may be agreed on 
by a general Congress of deputies from the Colonies, the 
non-export of tobacco to depend and take place only on a 
similar agreement by Virginia and North Carolina, and to 
commence at such time as may be agreed on by the deputies 
for this Pi'ovince, and the said Colonies of Vii'ginia and 
North Carolina. 

" 5th. Resolved, That the deputies of this Province are au- 
thorized to agree to any restrictions upon exports to the 
West Indies which may be deemed necessary by a major- 
ity of the Colonies at the general Congress. 

"11th. Resolved, unanimously, That this Province will 
break off all trade and dealings with that Colony, Province, 
or town which shall decline or refuse to come into the gen- 
eral plan which may be adopted by the Colonies." 

" Maryland Convention. 
"At a meeting of the deputies appointed by the several 
counties of the Province of Mai'yland, at the city of Annap- 
olis, by adjournment, on the 8th day of December, 1774, and 
continued till the 12tli day of the same month were present 
eighty five members, viz. : 



County. 

For 8t. Maiy's 4 

Charles 3 

Calvert 5 

Prince George's 8 

Frederick 8 

Anne Arundel( and 

Annapolis City) 10 

Baltimore 8 

Harford 9 

"Mr. John Hall in the chair and ]\Ir. John Duckett, clerk, 
"The proceedings of the Continental Congress were read, 
considered, and unanimously approved. 



County. 

For Cecil 2 

Kent 2 

Queen Anne's 4 

Caroline 4 

Talbot 1 

Dorchester 5 

Somerset 7 

Worcester 5 



254 THE BIRTE OF THE REPUBLIG. 

" 'Resolved, That every member of this Convention will, 
and every person in the Province ought, strictly and invio- 
lably observe and carry into execution the Association agreed 
on l")y the said Continental Congress.' 

"On motion, 

" ' Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this conven- 
tion be given by the chairman to the gentlemen who repre- 
sented this Province as deputies in the late Continental Con- 
gress, for their faithful discharge of that important trust.' 

'• And the same was accordingly done. 

" As a further regulation to enforce an observance of the 
late Continental Association, — 

" ' Resolved unanimously, That in all cases where breaches 
of the Continental Association, or the resolves of this Con- 
vention, shall happen and be declared such by any commit- 
tee of a county, no gentleman of the law ought to bring or 
prosecute any suit whatever for such offender; and if any 
factor shall commit any breach of t^e said Association or 
resolves, that no gentleman of the law ought to bring or 
prosp^ute any ouit for any debt due to the store of w^hich 
the said factor has the management, after notice as afore- 
said. 

" ' Resolved unanimously. That if the late acts of Parlia- 
ment relative to the Massachusetts Bay shall be attempted 
to be carried into execution by force in that Colony, or if 
the assumed power of Parliament to tax the Colonies shall 
be attempted to be carried into execution by force in that or 
any other Colony, that in such case this Province will sup- 
port such Colony to the utmost of their power. 

'"Resolved unanimously, That a well-regulated mUitia, 
composed of the gentlemen, freeholders, and other freemen, 
IS the natural strength and only suitable security of a free 
government; and that such militia will relieve our mother- 
country from any expense in our protection and defence; 
will obviate the pretence of necessity for taxing us on that 
account, and render it unnecessary to keep any standing 
army (ever dangerous to liberty) in this Province; and there- 
tore It IS recommended to such of the said inhabitants of 
this Province as are from sixteen to fifty years of age to 
torm themselves into companies of sixty-eight men; to 
Choose a captain, two Meutenants, an ensign, four sergeants, 
imir corporals, and one drummer for each company, and use 
then- utmost endeavors to make themselves master of the 




V>orr tr^^ 1 11 "^ W' ""^' " «-t<i Lviiuii-uuA ur powdcrhom, an 
uag ror D.m, and be in readiness to act on any emergency. 
r.nr..„v?f * ''p ^'"^"i"wusly. That it is recommended to the 

«. Hw th'"'' ^ ""''f ^ ^°""*5^ *o ^■'^^'^«' by subscription, or in 
such other voluntary manner as they may think propbr and 



THE BIBTn OF THE REPUBLIC. 



255 



will be most agreeable to their respective counties, such sums 
of money as, with any moneys already raised, will amount 
to the following sums in the respective committees, to wit : 



Couuty. 

In St. Mary's £ 600 

Charles 800 

Calvert 366 

Priuce George's 833 

Anue Arundel 866 

Frederick 1,333 

Baltimore 933 

Harford 466 

Worrester 533 



County. 
Somerset £.533 



Dorchester. . . . 

Caroline 

Talbot 

Queen Anne's. 

Kent 

Cecil 



480 
358 
400 
533 
506 
400 



£10,000 



*' 'And that the committees of the respective counties lay 
out the same in the purchase of arms and ammunition for 
the use of such county, to be secured and kent in proper and 
convenient f laces under the direction of the said commit- 
tees.'" 

" Maryland Convention, ) 
" Monday, August 14, 1775. \ 

"Resolved unanimously, That the following Association 
be signed by the members of this convention, and by all 
other tlie freemen of this Province: 

" 'Association of the Freemen of Maryland, ) 
" ' July 26, 1775. f 

" 'The long-premeditated and now £\vowed design of the 
British government to raise a revenue from the pfoperty of 
the Colonists, without their consent, on the gift, grant, and 
disposition of the Commons of Great Britain; the arbitrary 
and vindictive statutes passed under color of punishing a 
riot, to subdue by military force and by famine the Massa- 
chusetts Bay ; the unlimited power assumed by Parliament 
to alter the Charter of that Province and the Constitutions 
of all the Colonies, thereby destroying the essential securi- 
ties of the lives, liberties, and properties of the Colonists; 
the commencement of hostilities by tbe Ministerial forces, 
and the cruel j)rosecution of tlie war against the people of 
Massachusetts Bay, followed by General Gage's proclama- 
tion declaring almost the whole of the inhabitants of the 
United Colonies by name or description i-ebels and traitors, — 
are suflScient causes to arm a free people in defence of their 
liberty, and to justify resistance, no longer dictated by pru- 
dence merely, but by necessity, and leave no alternative but 
base submission or manly opposition to uncontrollable 
tyranny. The Congress chose the latter; and for the express 
purpose of securing and defending the United Colonies and 
preserving them in safety against all attempts to carry the 
above-mentioned acts into execution by force of arms, re- 
solved that the said Colonies be immediately put into a state 



256 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

of defence ; and now support at the joint expense an army 
to restrain the further violence and repel the future attacks 
of a disajipointed and exasperated enemy, 

"'We, therefore, inhahitants of the Province of Mary- 
land, firmly persuaded that it is necessary and justifiable to 
repel force hj force, do approve of the opposition by arms 
to the British troops employed to enforce obedience to the 
late acts and statutes of the British Parliament for raising a 
revenue in America, and altering and changing the Charter 
and Constitution of the Massachusetts Bay, and for destroy- 
ing the essential securities for the lives, liberties, and prop- 
erties of the subjects in the United Colonies. And we do 
unite and associate as one band, and firmly and solemnly 
engage and pledge ourselves to each other and to America 
that we will to the utmost of our power promote and sup- 
port the present opposition carrying on, as well by arms, as 
by the Continental Association restraining commerce. 

" 'And as in these times of public danger, and until a re- 
conciliation with Great Britain on Constitutional principles 
is effected (an event we most ardently wish may soon take 
place) the energy of government may be greatly impaired, 
so that even zeal unrestrained may be productive of anarchy 
and confusion; we do in like manner unite, associate, and 
solemnly engage in maintenance of good order and the pub- 
lic peace, to support the civil power in the due execution of 
the laws, so far as may be consistent with the present plan 
of opptjsition, and to defend with our utmost power all per- 
sons f]-om any species of outrage to themselves or their 
property, and to prevent any punishment from being in- 
flicted on any offenders other than such as shall be adjudged 
by the ci\^ magistrate, the Continental Congress, our con- 
vention, council of safety, or committees of observation.' " 

Instructions to Maryland Delegates in Congress. 

" In Convention Held at Annapolis, in Maryland, ) 

" January 11, 1776. ) 

" ^°J\^ Honorable Mattheio filghman, Esq., Thomas Jo7imo7i, Jun., Fobert 

Gohhboroitf/h, William Rica, tkimml Chase, Thomas Stone, Eobert Alex- 

andir, and John Rogers, Esquires: 

" The convention, taking into their most serious considera- 
tion the present state of the unhapjiy dispute between Great 
Britain and the United Colonies, think it proper to deliver 
you their sentiments, and to instruct you in certain points 
relative to your conduct in Congress as representatives of 
this Province. 

"We further instruct you that vou do not, without tlie 
previous knowledge and approbation of the convention of 
iius i rnvmce, assent to any proposition to declare these 
eolcnies independent of the Grown of Great Britain, nor to 
any proposition for making or entering into alliance with 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 257 

any foreign power, nor to any union or confederation of 
these Colonies whieli may necessarily lead to a separation 
from the mother-country, unless in your judgments, or in 
the judgments of any four of you, or a majority of the whole 
of you (if ail shall then he attending in Congress), it shall be 
thought absolutely necessary for the preservation of the 
liberties of the United Colonies : and should a majority of the 
Colonies in Congress against such, your judgment, resolve 
to declare these Colonies independent of the Oi'own of Great 
Britain ; or to make or enter into alliance with any foreign 
power, or into any union or confederation of these Colonies 
which may necessarily lead to a i^:eparation from the mother- 
country,— then we instruct you immediately to call the con- 
vention of this Province, and repair thereto with such prop- 
osition and resolve, and lay the same before the said conven- 
tion for their consideration. And this convention will not 
hold this Province bound by such majority in Congress 
until the representative body of the Province in convention 
assent thereto." 

Boberf Alexander to Maryland Council of Safety. 
(Extract.) 

" PniLADELPniA, Feb. 27, 1776. 
"One of the letters was directed to Willing and Morris, 
without any signature: it contaixied a printed copy of my 
Lord North's Conciliatory Act, by which all American vessels 
found on the coasts of Great Britain or Ii-eland are to be 
seized and confiscated on the 1st day of January. All Amer- 
ican vessels sailing into or out of the ports of America after 
the 1st of March are to be seized and confiscated ; all f' )reign 
vessels trading to America after the 1st of June to be seized; 
all communication between Great Britain, or Ireland, or 
the British West Indies, with America, to be cut off; all 
captures made by British ships of-war, or by the officei'S of 
the King's troops in America, adjudged by this act to be 
la'wful prizes, and, as such. Courts of Admiralty to proceed 
in their condemnation. All orders for the regulation of 
Courts of Admiralty in America, heretofore made by the 
King in council, or which may hereafter be made, are con- 
firmed. The Boston Port Bill, the Fishing Bill, and the 
Restraining Act are repealed by this bill; the Colonies being 
in the like cii'cumstances and situation. The last clause of 
this more than diabolical act enables the King to appoint 
commissioners to grant pardons, and receive the submissions 
of any Pi'ovince, county, town, or district. I shall make 
no comments on this act ; it is only a further stage in that 

system of tyranny hitherto pursued by that ■ , who 

under the influence of a Scotch Junto, now disgraces the 
British throne. 



258 777^ BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

" What measures Congress may pursue in consequence of 
this act I know not. With me the very idea of reconciliation 
is precluded by the conduct of Groat Britain ; and the only 
alternative, absolute slavery or independence; the latter I 
iiave often reprobated, both in public and private, but am 
now almost convinced the measure is right and can be justi- 
fied by necessity." 

" Martla>'d Convention, ) 
" June 28, 1776. \ 

" Eesolved unanimously, That the instructions given by 
the convention of December last (and renewed by the con- 
vention in May) to the deputies of this Colony in Congress be 
recalled, and the restrictions therein contained removed; 
that the deputies of this Colony attending in Congress, or a 
majority of them, or any three or more of them, be author- 
ized and empowered to concur with the other United Colonies 
or a majority of them, in declaring the United Colonies free 
and independent states, in forming such further compact and 
confederation between them ; in making foreign alliances ; and 
in adopting such other measures as shall be adjudged neces- 
sary for securing the liberties of America. And this Colony 
will hold itself bound by the resolutions of a majority of the 
United Colonies in the premises: provided, the sole and 
exclusive right of regulating the internal government and 
pohce of this Colony be reserved to the people thereof." 



CHAPTER V. 

VIRGINIA. 



Thk following account of the action of the Virginia 
House of Burgesses, with reference to the tax on tea and 
other articles, is taken from Burk's liistory of that State. 

Tlie House also earnestly remonstrate against the trans- 
portation to England, for trial, of persons charged with 
treason, misprison of treason, and other felonies. This high- 
handed procedure, as elsewhere seen, was in pui'suance of an 
ar-t of 35tli Hem-y VIII., revived in 17G8and made applica- 
ble to America. 

No Colony excelled Virginia in the elevated tone and 
diction of the resolutions, addresses, and other papers that 
emanated from h(>r public bodies. In those times her w^ealthy 
gentry sent their sons to Europe to be educated, in many 
instances; and besides, she had an excellent institution of her 
o\\Ti, in Wilham and Mary College. To her honor, also, Vir- 
ginia has ever been distinguished for fillhig the high places of 
state with her best men. 



THE BIRTH OF THE liEPUBLIG. 259 

"Assembly, ) 
"May 11, 176y. f 

"The Governor, Botetourt, having proposed no specific 
objects for their consideration, the House proceeded, without 
delay, to a spirited inquiry- into the nature and tendency of 
the late Parliamentary duties which they scrupled not to 
ascribe to a deliberate intention of subverting the ancient 
rights and Constitution of the Colony. In the investigation 
of this important subject, they were no longer embarrassed 
by the sophistry of opposition, one unanimous sentiment 
having absolved all the shades and distinctions of opinion. 
In this spirit the following resolutions were submitted and 
adopted : , 

"'Eesolved, nemine contradicente, That the sole right of 
imposing taxes on the inhabitants of this his Majesty's 
Colony and dominion of Virginia is now, and ever has been, 
legally and constitutionally vested in the House of Burgesses, 
lawfully convened according to the ancient and established 
practice, with the consent of the Council, and of his Majesty, 
the King of Britain, or his Governor for the time being. 

" 'Resolved, nemine contradicente, That it is the undoubted 
privilege of the inhabitants of this Colony to petition their 
sovereign for redress of grievances ; and that it is lawful and 
expedient to procure the conciuTcnce of liis Majesty's other 
Colonies, in dutiful addresses, praying the royal interposi- 
tion in favor of the violated rights of America. 

" ' Resolved, nemine contradicente. That all trials for trea- 
son, misprison of treason, or for any felony or crime whatso- 
ever committed or done in this his Majesty's said Colony 
and dominion, by any person or persons residing therein, 
ought of right to bo had and conducted in and before liis 
Majesty's courts held within his said Colony, according to 
the fixed and known course of proceeding'; and that the 
seizing any person or persons residing in this Colony, sus- 
pected of any crime whatsoever committed therein, and 
sending such per^n or persons to places beyond the sea to 
be tried, is highly derogatory of the rights of British sub- 
jects, as thereby the inestimable privilege of being tried iDy 
a jury from their vicinage, as well as the liberty of summon- 
ing and producing witnesses in such trial, wiH be taken 
away from the party accused. 

"Resolved, nemine contradicente, That an humble, dutiful, 
and loyal address be presented to his Majesty, to assure him 
of our inviolable attachment to his sacred person and gov- 
ernment, and to beseech his royal interposition, however 
remote from the seat of his empire, to quiet the minds of his 
loyal subjects of this Colony, and to avert from them those 
dangers and miseries which will ensue from the seizing 
and carrying beyond sea any person residing in America, 
suspected of any crime whatsoever, to be tried in any other 



2G(> TIIPJ niRTll OF THE REPUBLIC. 

mannor than by the ancient and long-established course of 

proct'ouini:;. , , ^ ,, ■ tt t 

It wa-^ thtMi "Ordered, That the speaker of this House do 
transmit without delay, to the speakers of the several Houses 
of Assembly on this continent, a copy of the resolutions 
now agreed to by the House, requesting their concurrence 

On tiic adoption of these resolutions, the Assembly re- 
ceived the following communication from the Governor: 

"Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Bur- 
gesses: I have heard of your resolves, and augur ill of their 
effects. You have made it my duty to dissolve you, and 
you are dissolved accoixlingly." 

The members of the House then agreed to the following 
Association : 

"Therefore, in justice to ourselves and our posterity, as 
well as to the traders of Great Britain concerned in the 
American commerce, Ave, the subscribers, have voluntarily 
and unanimously entered into the following resolutions, in 
hoi>es that our example wUl mduce the good people of this 
Colony to be frugfJ in the use and consumption of British 
manufactures, and that the merchants and manufacturers 
of Great Britain may, from motives of interest, friendship, 
anil justice, be engaged to exert themselves to obtain for 
us a redress of those grievances under which the trade 
and inhabitants of America at present labor. We do there- 
foi-e most earnestly recommend this our association, to the 
serious attentions of all gentlemen, merchants, traders, 
and other inhabitants of this Colony, in hopes that they 
will very readily and cordially accede thereto. 

"First, It is unanimously agreed on and resolved this 
18th day of May, 1709, that the subscribers, as weU by their 
own example as aU other legal ways and means in their 
power, will promote and encourage industry and frugality, 
and discourage aU manner of luxury and extravagance. 

"Secondly, That they will not at any time hereafter, 
du'ectly or indirectly, import or cause to be imported any 
manner of goods, merchandise, or manufactures which are 
or shall hereafter be taxed by act of Parliament, for raising 
a revenue in America (except paper not exceeding eight 
sliillings ste)-ling per ream, and except such articles only 
as orders have been already sent for), nor purchase any such 
afti'r th(i first day of September next, of any person what- 
soever, but that they will always consider such taxation in 
every respect as an absolute prohibition, and in all future 
ordei-8 du-ect their correspondents to ship them no goods 
^^ A" n'f '"'' ^^^^^ ^^ aforesaid, except as is above excepted." 

"Fifthly, That they will not import any slaves, or pur- 
chase any unported after the first day of November next, 
until the said ai-ts are repealed." 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 261 

The foregoing account of the action of the House of Bur 
gesses IS taken from Bui^'s History of VirgLt vol IV "'" 
resSutions? '^ ""^ Burgesses adopted the foUowing 

in"t^<!'TA'^ The minds of his Majesty's faithful subjects 
m this Colony have been much disturbed bv vovinii« 
r maours and reports of proceedings tending 7o lllZl 

mmmBm 

ges, ijauney Carr, Archibald Gary, and Thomas TpfFprQmi 

SsM be'JX nh^"' "!f '^ ^^ ^' ^ ?onimittee wlSse buSnei 
gencfofsn.ph o*^!^^^^^^^ T.^^ early and authentic intelh 

gence ot such acts and resolutions of the British ParJianimiV 

tlS-Ssh^rSn^-'"^^"^^^*^'^.*^^^^' ^« may Ste to o St 
tne i>iiti&h Colonies m America: and to keen un niid iinn^r^ 

tarn a correspondence and communication wil? SSr sfste?" 

Court of Inquiry, said to have been TateTrheld in Rhod? 

the sneaS of thP^ rl?ff ^'V! ^^"'^ S^"'^^ '^^ t^-^^"«^it to 
Co n,nRr7>t +1 • ^^^, . <^'^ierent Assemblies of the British 

m^mmm 

" T^v,^ TT ly-r. " ^''i-LiAMSBURCr, May 30, 1774. 

ucrni- TT , . '"T"esday,24tli May(14thGeoi-e III.), 1774 



202 THE rJllTII OF Tim REPUBLIC. 

Iho hostilo invasion of the city of Boston, incur sister-Colony 
of Massachusetts Bay, whose commerce and harbor are, on 
the lii-st clay of June next, to be stopped by an armed force, 
dci-m it highly necessary that the said first day of June be 
set aT)art by the members of this House as a day of fasting, 
humiliation, and prayer; devoutly to implore the divme m- 
tcrjiosition for averting the heavy calamity which threatens 
destruction to our civil rights, and tlie evils of civil Avar; to 
give us one heart and one mind firmly to 0]:»pose by all just 
and i)r<iper means every injury to American rights; and 
tliat tlie minds of his ]\lajesty and his Parliament may be 
inspired from above Avith wisdom, moderation, and justice, 
to reni(n-e from the loyal people of America all cause of 
danger from a continued pursuit of measures pregnant with 
ruin. 

" ' Or<lered, therefore, That the members of this House do 
attend in their places at the hour of ten in the forenoon on 
the said first day of June next, in order to proceed with the 
speaker and the mace to the church in this city for the pur- 
poses afoi-esaid; and that the Reverend Mr. Price be ap- 
pointed to read prayers and to preach a sermon suitable to 
the occasion.' " 

A letter to the inhabitants of Charleston, S. C. : 

"Norfolk, May 31, 1774. 
"Gentlemen: The occasion is too serious to admit of 
apologies for this unsolicited communication of our senti- 
ments to you at this alarming crisis to American freedom; 
fur the time is come, the unhappy era has ai'rived, when the 
closest union among ourselves and the firmest confidence 
in each other are our only securities for those rights which, 
as men and freemen, we derive from nature and the Con- 
stitution, The late hostile Parliamentary invasion of the 
town of Boston, we deem an attack upon the libe^'ties of us all. 
Of the particulai"s of that unhai^py transaction we presume 
you are already fully informed, and, we doubt not, shudder 
with us at this systematic mode of depriving the unrcpro- 
sented American of his rights and possessions, and vesting 
the Crown Avith such despotic power over the free-born in- 
habitants of the capital of iMassachusetts Bay. What meas- 
ures ai-e most proper to be adopted on this sad occasion we 
are at a loss to point out; but we look to the wisdom of your 
city, in c<injunction with the other lai'ge commercial towns 
on this continent, to take moi-e immediately the lead in 
these ini))oi-tant matters, and to fix upon such" expedients in 
the re^Milation of trade as may be most productive of relief 
to our sufTiTing brethren of Boston, and the general estab- 
liKhnientof the rights of these Colonies; and you may rest 
as-sured that, iu every measure conducive to this gi-aud con- 



THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLTG. 263 

tinental object, you will always meet with our most hearty 
concurrence. 

"We are under great apprehensions for the people of 
Boston, lest they may sink under the weight of their mis- 
fortunes. And at the same time that we highly approve of 
the expediency of a Congress as proposed by several of the 
Colonies, we think the trading part of the community 
ought particularly to interfere ; for nothing but the most 
speedy and eiScacious measures can relieve them; and if, 
after all, there should be fovmd an vmhappy necessity to reim- 
burse the India Company for that just punishment they re- 
ceived for their invidious attempts on our liberties, we trust 
there is no inhabitant of these Colonies who feels and thinks 
himself a freeman, but will cheerfully put his hand to his purse 
and join in the general expense. Inclosed we transmit you 
the proceedings of the inhabitants of the borough of Norfolk 
and town of Portsmouth, together with the letters and other 
papers from Boston, Philadelpliia, and Baltimore, as also 
copies of the resolutions and other proceedings of the mem- 
bers of our late House of Burgesses both before and after 
their dissolution. We hope to be able to inform you more 
particvilarly of the collected sense of the trade of this Colony 
at the general meeting of the merchants next week at Will- 
iamsburg, when we expect further despatches from the north- 
ward. We hope the favor of a free and full communica- 
tion of your sentiments on this important occasion, and 
trust thot your flourishing and respectable Province will 
still continue their generous endeavors for the establishment 
of the rights of the Colonies, that the opposition of all Amer- 
ica may be as extensive as the oppression. 

"With the warmest attachment to the interests of the 
Colonies, we are, gentlemen, most respectfully, your most 
obedient humble servants, 

Thomas Newton, Jumr., John Greenwood, 

Joseph Hutchings, Alexander Skinner, 

Paul Loyall, Willlam Harvey, 

Alexander Love, Niel Jamieson." 

Samuel Inglis, 

Prince William {Va.) Resolutions. 

"At a meeting of the freeholdei-s, merchants, and other in- 
habitants of the county of Prince William, and town of 
Dumfries, in the Colony of Virginia, at the Court-house of 
said county, on Monday the Gth day of June, in the year of 
our Lord 1774,— 

" ' Eesolved, and it is the imanimous opinion of this meet- 
ing. That no person ongb.t to be taxed but by his own consent, 
expressed either by himself or his representatives; and that 
therefore any act of Parliament levying a tax to be collected 
in America, depriving thej^eopieof their property, ori^rohib- 



2G4 TIIK BTLTn OF THE REPUBLIC. 

iting them from trading with one another is subversive ofour 
natural rights and contrary to the first prmciples of the Con- 

" 'Resolved, That the city of Boston, in the Massachusetts 
Bay is now suffering in the common cause of American lib- 
erty and on account of its opposition to an act of the Brit- 
ish legislature for imposing a duty upon the tea to be col- 
lected in America.' " 

Woodstock {Va.) Resolutions. 

'"At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of 
the county of Dunmore, held at the town of Woodstock, the 
KUh day of June, 1774, to consider the best mode to be 
fallen upon to secure their hberties and properties ; and also 
to prevent the dangerous tendency of [w hich] an act of Par- 
liament passed m the fourteenth year of his present Majesty's 
roiixn, entitled, ' An Act to Discontinue in Such Manner and 
f( )r Such Time as is Therein Mentioned, the Landing and Dis- 
(^harging. Lading or Shipping of Goods, Wares, and Mer- 
chandise, at the Town and Within the Harbor of Boston, in 
the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in North America,' 
evidently has, to invade and deprive us of the same, 

" ' Res^olved, 1st. That Ave will always cheerfully pay due 
submission to such acts of government as his Majesty has a 
right by law to exercise over his subjects, as sovereign, to 
the British dominions, and to such only. 

"'2d. That it is the inherent right of British subjects to 
be governed and taxed by representatives chosen by them- 
selves only ; and that every act of the British Parliament 
respc'fting the internrd policy of North America is a dan- 
gerous and vmconstitutional invasion of our rights and 
privileges. 

" ' 'M. That the act of Parliament above mentioned is not 
only itself repugnant to the fundamental laws of natural 
justice in condemning persons, for supposed crime, imheard ; 
but also a despotic exertion of unconstitutional power, cal- 
culated to enslave a free and loyal people. 

" * 4th. That the enforcing the execution of the said act of 
Parliament by a military power will have a necessary ten- 
dency to raise a civil war, thereby dissolving that union 
whicli h;xs so long happily subsisted between the mother- 
country and her Colonies; and that we will most heartily 
and imanimously concur with our suffering brethren of 
Boston, and every other part of North America that may 
be the immediate victims of tyranny, in promoting all 
proper measures to avert such (dreadful calamities, to pro- 
cure a redress of our grievances, and to secure our common 
lil)erties. 

" ' 5th. It is tho unanimous opinion of this meeting that a 
joint resulutiun of all the Colonies to stop all importations 



TUE BIRTH OF THE UEPUBLIC. 2C5 

from Great Britain, and exportations to it, till the said act 
be repealed, will prove the salvation of North America and 
her liberties ; on the other hand, if they continue their im- 
ports and exports, there is the gi*eatest reason to fear that 
power and the most odious oppression will rise triumphant 
over right, justice, social happiness, and freedom.' " 

Westmoreland County {Va.) Resolutions. 

" At a respectable meeting of the freeholders and other in- 
habitants of the county of Westmoreland, assembled, on 
due notice, at the Court-house of the said county, on Wed- 
nesday the 32d of June, 1774, — 

" ' Eesolved, 1st. That to be taxed solely in our Provincial 
Assemblies * by representatives freely chosen by the people, 
is a right that British subjects in America are entitled to 
from natural justice, from the English Constitution, from 
charters, and from a confirmation of these by usage since 
the first establishment of these Colonies. 

"'2d. That an endeavor to enforce submission from one 
Colony, to the payment of taxes not so imposed, is a danger- 
ous attack on the liberty and property of British America, 
and renders ifc indispensably necessary that all should 
firmly unite to resist the common danger. 

" ' 3d. It is the opinion of this meeting that the town of 
Boston, in our sister-Colony of Massachusetts Bay. is now 
suffering in the common cause of North America, by hav- 
ing its harbor blocked up, its commerce destroyed, and the 
property of many of its inhabitants violently taken from 
them, until they submit to taxes not imposed by their con- 
sent: and therefore this meeting resolve, — 

" ' 4th. That the inhabitants of this county will most cor- 
dially and firmly join with the other covraties in this Colony, 
and the other Colonies on this continent, or the majority of 
them, after a short day, hereafter to be agreed on, to stop 
all exports to Great Britain and the West Indies, and all 
imports from thence, until as well the act of Parliament en- 
titled ' An Act to Discontinue in Such Manner and for Such 
Time as are Therein Mentioned, the Landing and Discharg- 
ing, Lading and Shipping, of Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, 
at the Town and Within the Harbor of Boston, in the Prov- 
ince of Massachusetts Bay, in North America, ' as the several 
acts laying duties on America, for the purpose of raising a 
revenue, and all the acts of the British legislature made 
against our brothers of Massaclmsetts Bay, in consequence 
of their just opposition to the said revenue acts, ai-e re- 
pealed ; and it is the opinion of this meeting that such a non- 
importing and non-exporting plan should be quickly entered 
upon, as well on the e^'ident princii:)le of self-preservation, 
as to relieve our suffering counti'yraen and fellow-subjects 
in Boston and to restore botv.een "Great Britain and Amcr- 



2CG THE BIIiTII OF TUE REPUBLIC. 

ica that harmony so beneficial to the whole empire, and so 
ardently desii-ed by all America.' " 

SpotfsTjlvania Count tj (F«.) Resolutions. 

"We, the freeholdei-s and inhabitants of the county of 
Spottsyivania, beinf? assembled on this 24th day of June, 
177-1, to ad\nse and consult mth our late representatives 
(af^recable to their invitation) on the present state of British 
America, and having taken under our most serious considera- 
tion the several acts of the Parliament of Great Britain, made 
durin::: the present reign, respecting America, particularly 
one act wherein a duty on tea is made payable in America for 
the purpose of raising a revenue, and three other acts of the 
last session of the present Parliament respecting the Prov- 
ince of Massachusetts Bay, are of opinion: That the said sev- 
eral acts of Parliament ai'e un(?onstitutional, arbitrary, and 
unjust, manifestly calculated for the destruction of the 
rights of America and the British Constitution in general, 
and ought to be opposed bv all well-wishers as well of the 
mother-country as of the Colonies, whose interests are mu- 
tual, and ought ever to be considered as inseparable. 

" Resolv^ed further, That we owe no obedience to any act 
of the Bi-itisli Parliament that is or shall be made respecting 
the internal police of this Colony, and that we will oppose 
any such acts with our lives and fortunes. 

Resolved, That the said acts of the British Parliament re- 
specting the Province of the Massachusetts Bay and the 
town of Boston, tending to enforce obedience to the aforesaid 
unconstitutional act imposing a duty upon tea for raising a 
revenue in America, ought to be considered as an attempt 
against the rights and liberties of America in general, and 
that the same ought to be opposed by the people of this Col- 
ony. 

"Resolved. Tliat the most effectual method of opposing 
the said several acts of Parhament will be to break off all 
commercial connection with Great Britain till the said acts 
be repealed," 

Richmond County (Va.) Resolutions. 

"At a respectable meeting of the freeholders and freemen 
of the r-ounty of Richmond, Virginia, after due notice to at- 
tfnd at the Court-house of said county, on Wednesday the 
29th of June, 177-4, in order to give their sentiments to "their 
late rcin-esentatives invited to meet in Williamsburg on the 
fii-st day of August next, to dehberate on the matters of the 
utinust uuportance to this country, they after making choice 
of tJK" Kcvcivnd Isaac William Giberne as moderator, came 
to tlu' tollowmg resolutions: 

V?^/'- That it is the undoTd)ted right of the people of 
BntLsh AiiiciMca to be taxed only by (heir respective Proviu- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIG. 267 

cial Assemblies, whicli right they claim from Charter, nat- 
ural justice, and constant usage ever since their first settle- 
ment in Amei-ica ; and that an attempt to force one Colony 
to pay tax imposed by the British Legislature where they 
have not nor could have any representative, is a violent at- 
tack on their constitutional rights. 

"2d. They do respect the Bostonians in their sister Col- 
ony of Massachusetts Bay as suffering in the common cavise 
of British America; and that the hostile attack now made 
on them by the Parliament of Great Britain in blocking up 
their harbor and violently taking away the property of 
many individuals, by preventing them the use of their 
wharfs, quays, etc., is an avowed intention to reduce all 
America to a state of slavery. 

" 3d. It is the opinion of this meeting that nothing will be 
more conducive to prevent such oppressions than imme- 
diately to stop all imports from Great Britain, and at a short 
day hereafter to be fixed to stop all exports to Great Britain 
and the West Indies until there is a total repeal of not only 
the act called the Boston Port Bill, but also of all the several 
acts of the British Parliament laying taxes on the Americans 
for the purpose of raising a revenue, and those other acts 
made against the rights of the people of Massachusetts Bay 
on account of their virtuous opposition to the said revenue 
acts." 

Prince George County (Va.) Resolutions. 

"At a general meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of 
Prince George County, Virginia ^in June, 1774), the follow- 
ing resolves were proposed and unanimously agi-eed to : 

"Resolved, That we will at all times, whenever we are 
called upon for that purpose, maintain and defend, at the 
expense of our lives and fortunes, his Majesty's right and 
title to the Crown of Great Britain and his dominions in 
America, to whose royal person and government we profess 
all due obedience and fidelity. 

"Resolved, That the right to impose taxes or duties to be 
paid by the inhabitants within this dominion, for any pur- 
pose whatever, is peculiar and essential to the General As- 
sembly, in whom the legislative authority of the Colony is 
vested. 

"Resolved, That every attempt to impose such taxes or 
duties by any other authority is an arbitrary exertion of 
power, and an infringement of the constitutional rights and 
liberties of the Colony. 

" Resolved, That the late cruel, unjust, and sanguinary 
acts of Parliament to be executed by military force and 
ships of war upon our sister Colony of the Massachusetts 
Bay and town of Boston is a strong evidence of the corrupt 
influence obtained by the British Ministry in Parliament, 



2GS THE BIRTH OF THE REPXWLIC. 

and a convincing proof of their fixed intention to deprive 
the Colonies of their constitutional rights and liberties. 

" Resolved, That the cause of the town of Boston is the 
common cause of all the American Colonies." 

James City County {Va.) Resolutions. 

" At a meeting of the freeholders of James City County, on 
the first of July, 1774. at the house of Mr. Isham Allen, in 
order to consult with their late representatives what meas- 
ures were most necessary to warci off the impending evils 
which seem to threaten all British America, those matters 
being calmly and matui-ely entered into, the following re- 
solves were adopted : 

" Resolved. That we will not import any article whatever 
from Great Britain. 

'• Resolved, Tliat we will stop all exports to Gi'eat Britain 
after such a day as shall be appointed by the general meet- 
ing on the first of August next. 

"Resolved, That a subscription paper be handed about 
among the people of James City, to raise money, corn, 
wheat, or any other commodity which may be most agree- 
able to the subscribers, for the relief of the people of Boston." 

Ciilpepper County (Va.) Resolutions. 

" At a meeting of the Freeholders and other inhabitants of 
Culpepper Countj^, in Virginia, assembled on due notice at 
the Cou!-t-house of the said county on Thursday, the 7th of 
July. 1774, to consider the most effectual method to preserve 
the rights and liberties of America, 

"Henry Pendleton. Esq., Moderator, 

"Resolved, That we will, whenever we are called upon 
for that pui-pose, maintain and defend his Majesty's right 
and title to the Crown of Great Britain, and all other his 
domim'ons thereunto belonging, to whose royal person and 
govei-nment we profess all due obedience and fidelity. 

" Resolved, That the right to impose taxes or duties to be 
paid liv the inhabitants of this Colony, for any purpose 
whatsoever, is peculiar and essential to the general Assem- 
bly, in whom the legislative authority is vested. 

"Resolved, That every attempt to unpose taxes or duties 
by any <»ther authority" is an arbitrary exertion of power 
and an infringement of the constitutional and just rights 
and lilx'rties of the Colony, and that we will at all times, at 
tlie risk of our lives and fortunes, oppose any act imposing 
such taxes or duties, unless we are legallv represented; and 
tliat the act of the Bi-itish Parliament imposing a duty on 
tea to bo paid by the inhal)itants of the Colonies upon' im- 
portation IS evidently designi^d to fix on the Americans 
those chains foi-ged for them by a corrupt Ministry. 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. ' 269 

^.^ ■ 

"Resolved, That the late cruel and unjust acts of Parlia- 
ment, to be executed by force upon our sister Colony of the 
Massachusetts Bay and town of Boston, is a convincing 
proof of the unjust and corruj^t influence obtained by the 
British Ministry in Parliament, and a fixed determination 
to depi"ive the Colonies of their constitutional and just rights 
and liberties. 

" Resolved, That the town of Boston is now suffering in 
the common cause of the American Colonies." 

Essex County (Va.) Resolutions. 

" At a meeting: of the freeholders and other inhabitants of 
Essex County, Virginia, at the Court-house thereof, on Satur- 
day, the 9th of July, 1774, seriously to consider the present 
dangers which threaten ruin to American liberty, 

' ' Mr. John Upshaw, Moderator, 

" The following resolves were proposed and unanimously 
agreed to : 

" 1st. Resolved, That we will at all times and upon all oc- 
casions bear true and faithful allegiance to his Majesty King 
George the Third, and that as freemen we always have been 
and ever shall be willing constitutionally to give and grant 
liberally our property for the support of his Crown and dig- 
nity and the preservation of our present state, but that we 
can never consent to part with it on any other terms. 

"2d. Resolved, That the legislature of this Colony for the 
purpose of internal taxation is distinct from that of Great 
Britain, formed upon the principles of the British Constitu- 
tion, and equal in all respects to" the purposes of legislation 
and taxation v^ithin this Colony. 

"4th. Resolved, That the town of Boston, in our sister- 
Colony of Massachusetts Bay, is now suffering in the com- 
mon cause of North America for their just opposition to such 
acts, and it is indispensably necessary that all the Colonies 
should firmly unite in defence of our common rights. 

" 5th. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting that 
an agreement to stop all exports to, and imf>orts from, Great 
Britain and the West Indies, firmly entered into and reli- 
giously complied with, will at all times prove a safe and in- 
fallible means of securing us against the evils of any uncon- 
stitutional and tyrannical acts of Parliament, and may be 
adopted upon the principles of self-preservation, the great 
law of nature." 

Fauquier County (Va.) Resolutions. 

" At a meeting of the freeholders of the county of Fauquier, 
in Virginia, on the 9th of July, 1774, at the Court-house of 
the said county, 

"Mr. Wharton Ransdell, Moderator, 



L'7() THE nTRTIT OF THE REPUBLIC' 

" Tlio folio wins resolutions wero vnianimously agreed, to: 

"Resolved, That it is an undoubtetl rigbt of British sub- 
ieets, ami without which freedom cannot exist, to bo taxed 
only by their own free consent, cither personally given or 
by their representatives legally assembled. 

"Resolved, That as the British subjects in America are 
not. and from their situation cannot ever be, represented in 
tlie British Parliam(>nt, any act of Parliament laying a tax 
on tliem is subversive of their natural rights and contrary 
to the first pi-iiiciples of our free Constitution. 

"Resolved, That the act of Parliament laying a duty on 
tea, etc., exported from Great Britain to these Colonies, for 
tlie avowed pm*pose of raising a revenue in America, will, if 
submitted to, fix a precedent whereby the Parliamentary 
claim of taxing America may be established, arbitrary power 
introduced, and the liberty of the British Colonies laid at 
the feet of a despotic and execrable Ministry. 

"Resolved, That any person, who, contrary to the gen- 
eral sense of the country expressed by their late representa- 
tives, shall purchase, vend, or make use of tea, till such time 
as tlie actot Parliament la3nng a duty on that article for the 
purpose of raising a revenue in America shall be repealed, 
shall be deemed an enemy to American liberty and the com- 
mon rights of mankind, and ought to be publicly stigmatized 
as such." 

Nansemond Comity (Va.) Ilesolutions. 

" At a general meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of 
tlip county of Nansemond, on the 11th day of Jidy, 1774, the 
following resolutions were j)roposed and unanimously agreed 
to: 

"Resolved, That we will at all times, whenever we are 
called upoii for that purpose, maintain and defend at the 
exj)ense of our lives and fortunes his Majesty's right and 
title to tiie Crown of Great Britain and his dominions in 
America, to whose royal person and government we profess 
all due obedience and fidelity. 

" Resolved, That the right to impose taxes or duties to be 
paid by the inhabitants within this Dominion for any such 
pui-jiose whatsoever, is peculiar and essential to the General 
Asseuibly, in whom the legislative authority of the Colony 
is invested. 

"Resolved, Tliat every attempt to impose such taxes or 
duties Ijy any other authority is an arbitrary exertion of 
powiT and an infrmgement of the constitutional rights and 
liberties of the Colony. 

" R<'solved, That to impose a tax or duty upon tea by the 
British Parliament, in which the Commons of the North 
American Colonies can have no representation, to be paid 
ui)un importation by the inhabitants of the said Colonies, is 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 271 

an act of power without right, is subversive of the liberties 
of the said Colonies, deprives them of their property without 
their consent, and thereby reduces them to a state of 
slavery. 

' ' Resolved, That the late cruel, unjust, and sanguinary 
acts of Parliament, to be executed by military force and 
ships of war upoii our sister Colony of Massachusetts Bay 
and town of Boston, is a strong evidence of the coiTupt in- 
fluence obtained by the British Ministry in Parliament, and 
a convincing proof of their fixed intention to deprive the 
Colonics of their constitutional rights and liberties. 

''Resolved, That the cause of the town of Boston is the 
common cause of all the American Colonies. 

"Resolved, That a general association between all the 
American Colonies not to import from Great Britain any 
commodity whatsoever, ought to be entered into and not 
dissolved untU the just rights of the said Colonies are re- 
stored to them, and the cruel acts of the British Parliament 
against Massachusetts Bay and town of Boston are re- 
pealed." 

New-Kent County (Va.) Resolutions. 

" At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the 
county of New Kent, at the Court-house of said county, on 
Tuesday, the 12th day of July, 1774: 

" Resolved, That the inhabitants of the British Colonies in 
America are entitled to all the rights, liberties, and privi- 
leges of free-born English subjects. 

' ' Resolved, That the right to impose taxes or duties, to be 
paid by the inhabitants of this Dominion, for any purpose 
whatever, is peculiar and essential to the General Assembly, 
in whom the legislative authority of the Colony is placed, 
and that taxation and representation are inseparable. 

"Resolved, That trial by a jury of the vicinage is the 
glory of the English law, and the best security for the life, 
liberty, and property of the subject, and is the undoubted 
birthright of all his Majesty's free-born American subjects. 

"Resolved, That the several acts and resolutions of the 
Parliament of Gi'eat Britain made during his present Ma- 
jesty's reign, imposing taxes on the inhabitants of America 
for the express purpose of raising a revenue, and for alter- 
ing the nature and punishment of offences committed in 
America, or the method of trial of such offences, are uncon- 
stitutional, arbitrary, and unjust, and destructive of the 
rights of America ; and that we are not bound to yield 
obedience to any such acts. 

"Resolved, That the late cruel, unjust, and sanguinary 
acts of Parliament, to be executed, by miUtary force and ships 
of war, upon our sister-Colony of Massachusetts Bay and 
town of Boston, is a strong evidence of the corrupt influence 



272 THE Blltnr OF THE JtEPUBLlC. 

obt-xinod by the British Ministry in Parliament, and a con- 
vinciiiK proof of tht-ir fixed intention to deprive the Colonies 
of Iheir Constitutional rights and Uberties. 

"Resolved, That the cause of the town of Boston is the 
common cause of all American Colonies. 

"llesolved, That we do heartily approve of the resolutions 
and procee(hiigs of our several late Assembhes for asserting 
and supporting the just riglits and liberties of America, from 
their patriotic resolves in 1703 to this time, 

"Resolved, That the most effectual method of opposing 
the said several acts of Parliament will be to break off all 
counneirial intercourse with Great Britain mitil the said 
acts shall be repealed." 

Chesterfield County (Va.) Resolutions. 

"At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of 
the countv of Chesterfield, at the Court-house of said county, 
on Tliur.sday, the 14th of July, 1774, to take into considei'a- 
tion the present very alarming situation of this Colony, 

"The Reverend Archibald McRobert being unanimously 
chosen moderator, 

"'Resolved, That the sole right of making laws for the 
government of this his ]\Iajesty's ancient Colony and 
dominion of Virginia, and for raising and levying taxes on 
the inhabitants thereof, ought to be and is vested in the 
General Assembly of the said Colony, and cannot be executed 
by any other power without danger to our liberties, subject, 
nevertheless, as of custom has been, to his Majesty's ap- 
prc>bation. 

" ' Resolved, That every other of liis Majesty's dominions 
in America ought to be, and of right is, entitled to the same 
privileges as this Colony. 

'* 'Resolved, That the act of the British Parliament for de- 
priving the inhabitants of the town of Boston, in our sister- 
Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, of their lawful trade, as 
also the bills brought into the House of Commons of Great 
Britain, one of which bills is entitled "A bill for the im- 
partial administration of justice in the cases of persons 
questioned for any act done by them in the execution of the 
law, or for the suppression of riots or tumults in the Province 
«^f the Massachusetts Bay, in New England," are unjust, 
arhiti-ary, and unconstitutional; and although levelled par- 
ticularly against one of our first Colonies, yet ought to be 
ivscnted with the same indignation by this, and every 
Colony, as if all of them were included in the said act and 
bills. ' 

Gloucester County {Va.) Resolutions. 
" At a general and full mcH^ting of the inhabitants of the 
county ot (Gloucester, at the Court. house of the said county, 
after duo notice, on Thursday, July 14, 1774, 



THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIG. 273 

'/James Hubbard, Esq., judge of the said county court 
being unanimously chosen moderator, 

" They came to the following resolves: 

"'Resolved, That we will ever maintain and defend his 
Majesty s right and title to the^ Crown of Great Britain and 
his dominions in America, to whose royal person we profess 
the firmest attachment. 

" ' Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting that tax- 
ation and representation are inseparable; and as we are not 
and from the nature of things, cannot be, represented in the 
British Parliament, every attempt of that body to impose 
internal taxes on America is arbitrary, unconstitutional, and 
oppressive. ' 

"'Resolved, That the act for blocking up the harbor of 
Boston, and other purposes therein mentioned, is cruel and 
unjust and a convincing proof of the fixed intention of Par- 
liament to deprive America of theii- Constitutional rights 
and liberties. ° 

"' Resolved, That the cause of Boston is the common cause 
ot all America, and that we will firmly unite with the other 
counties m this Colony, and the other Colonies on this con- 
tinent m every measure that may be thought necessary on 
this alarming occasion. 

Resolved, That we do most heartily concur with our late 
representatives m their resolve of the total disuse of tea, 
and do turther resolve against the use of any East India 
commodity whatsoever, except saltpetre.' " 

Caroline County (Va.) Resolutions. 

"At a general meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants 
?i ^;^:f,fO"nty of Caroline, at the Court-house, on Thursday, 
the 14th day of July, 1774, assembled for the purpose of de- 
liberating and giving their sentiments upon the present state 
ot attairs in America, and what ought to be done at this most 
alarming crisis, the following points were agitated and 
agreed to as the opinion of this county : 

" 'That for Americans to be exempted from every kind of 
taxation except by the consent of their own representativt s 
m their several Provincial Assemblies, to be heard in their 
cletence when accused of crimes and tried by their peers are 
rights they derive from natural justice, the British Constitu- 
tion (to which they are equally entitled with their fellow- 
subjects in Great Britain), and from constant usage so lone 
as the true principles of the Constitution have been 'suffered 
to direct the public councils. 

+1," y^^f T*!?' ^;^^"S the subject of the tax complained of, and 
tne East India Company having acted ungenerously in send- 
ing great quantities of it to America to fix the precedent of 
taxation, though desired to forbear, we most cordially con- 
cur with the late representatives of this Colony to disuse 



274 TEE BTRTII OF THE EEPUBLIG. 

tea and not to purchase any East India commodities from 
liencofortb, mitU the just rights of America be restored.' " 

Henrico County (Va.) Instructions to their Delegates. 
"At a mectinj? of the loyal and patriotic people of the 
county of Henrico, in Virgmia, at the Court-house on the 
15th of July, 1774, the following address to their late worthy 
representatives was agreed on and signed by a great number 
of 'f reeholdei-s : 

"'To J!lch<ir(l A(h(ih.i and Samncl Dimd, Fsqrs.: 

" ' Wo, the subscribers, freeholders of the county of Hen- 
rico assembled for the purpose of deliberating on the present 
posture of public affairs, return you our thanks for the part 
you acted m the late Assembly as our Burgesses. 

" ' When we reflect on the alarming and critical situation of 
things respecting the mother country, our minds are filled 
with tlie most anxious concern. 

" 'The acts of the British Parliament made for punishing 
the inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay are repugnant to the 
first principles of justice, and, if they are suffered to have a 
full operation, will not only crush our sister-Colony, and in- 
volve the guilty and the innocent in one common ruin, but 
will stand as a' fatal precedent to future times, for adopting 
tlie same fatal measures towards this and every other Brit- 
ish Colony. We have therefore passed this determination, 
and shall conduct ourselves conformably, that the cause of 
the Colony of Massachusetts Bay in general, and the town 
of Boston in particular, is the cause of this and every Colony 
in North America. 

" * We hope, gentlemen, that the exceeding importance of 
the present crisis will plead our excuse for giving you our 
sentiments touching that conduct which we wish you to 
observe in the ensuing Congress on the first day of August 
next, at Williamsburg, to which we depute you to act on 
our behalf.'" 

Middlesex County (Va.) Resolutions. 

" After the freeholders of the county of Middlesex had pro- 
ceed! d in the most decent and orderly manner to the elec- 
tion of representatives for the county on the 15th of July 
(1774). they were summoned to meet at the Court-house, to 
take into their consideration the present state of the Col- 
ony, and America in general ; and upon mature deliberation, 
many of the most respectable freeholders and inhabitants of 
the county being present, they entered into the following 
re.sohitions: 

" 'Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting that all 
allegiance is due to the person and character of the King of 
Great Britain; and that we acknowledge a Constitutional 



THE BlRTn OF THE EErUDLIG. 275 

dependence on the Parliament, conceiving it not incompati- 
ble with the condition of Colonists to submit to commercial 
regulations in consequence of the protection that is given to 
our trade by the superintendence of the mother-country; 
but we apprehend there is a clear distinction between regu- 
lations of trade and taxation, and in no degree admit the 
latter under the colourable denomination of the former, well 
knowing that the nature of things is not alterable by the 
changes of terms. 

" ' Eesolved, That representation and taxation are insepar- 
ably connected by the essential principles of the British Con- 
stitution; and that every attempt of superior power to levy 
money on the British Americans, otherwise than by the con- 
sent of their representatives delivered in Assembly, is an in- 
fraction of that Constitution, a violation of the rights of 
freemen, and a subversion of property. 

" 'Eesolved, That the act imposing a duty on tea, for the 
avowed purpose of a revenue, is a tax; and that every oppo- 
sition should be expressed that may move to the repeal of 
the said act, or that may render its operation inefficacious. 

" 'Resolved, That the late act of Parliament suspending 
the ti'ade and shutting up the port of the town of Boston is 
an alarming circumstance to the Colonies in general, inas- 
much as it marks out a settled plan in the British Parlia- 
ment to enforce submission to their power of taxation.' " 

Dinwiddle County {Va.) Resolutions, 

"At a general meeting of the inhabitants of the county of 
Dinwiddie, at the Court-house, on Friday, the 15th of July, 
1774: 

" ' It was declared, as the result of our opinion upon these 
violent measures, that we do protest against every law or 
act of the British legislature that shall authorize the impo- 
sition of taxes on the Americans without their consent, 
which cannot be had in Parliament, as they have no repre- 
sentation, nor ought to have, in that body, from local cir- 
cumstsnces and other considerations; and because it is the 
proper, exclusive, and indefeasible right of every free state, 
especially under the British form of government, to be 
taxed only by themselves or their representatives. 

" ' And whereas, A convention of the late representatives of 
this Colony was judged expedient, and was appointed after 
their dissolution to be held the first day of August next at 
Williamsburg, there to consult upon the most plausible 
means of avoiding the dangerous precedents of acts of pow- 
er now intended to be established against us ; — to promote 
on our part this laudable design, we do appoint our late rep- 
resentatives, Robert Boiling and John Banister, Esquires, 
deputies to act for us on this important occasion, recom- 
mending it to them to concert with the deputies from the 



270 THE BIRTU OF THE liKPUBLIG. 

other counties a firm and prnd'-nt plan of opposition to 
every invasion of our rights, and particularly to those acts 
( )f Parliament we have pointed out. Confidmg ni then- vigi- 
lence and attention, we wish them, in their endeavors, the 
success that so good a cause merits.' " 

Surry County (Va.) Resolutions. 

" At a meeting of a respectable bod;^ of the freeholders and 
other inhabitants of the coimty of Surry, on due notice, at 
the Court-house of the said county, the 16th day of July, 

" Allen Cocke, Esqur,, moderator, 

" The proceedings and regulations of the late members of 
the House of Burgesses, since their dissolution, respecting 
the alarming situation of North America, were seriously de- 
liberated upon, and the following resolves unanimously 

agreed to: , , „ , , ,. 

'"1st. Resolved, That we acknowledge all due obedience 
to his iiresent Majesty, and will defend him with our lives 
and fortunes. 

" ' 2d. Resolved, That as British subjects who know the m- 
valiiable blessings of their birthright, we will not submit to 
the imposition ot any taxes or duties to be paid hy the in- 
habitants within this dominion by any other power than the 
General Assembly, duly elected; and that in them, and 
them only, is the Constitutional right of taxation vested. 

" ' 3d. "Resolved, That we will cheerfuly join with our suf- 
fering bretln-en of America in the firmest bonds of union 
against exporting or importing any commodities to or from 
Great Britain till our just and legal rights are restored. 

" ' 4th. Resolved, That the cause of the town of Boston is 
the common cause of all British America.' " 

Yorlc County (Fa.) Resolutions. 

" On Monday, the 18th of July (1774), the freeholders and 
othei- inhabitants of York county, Virginia, met, according 
to public notice, at the Court-house, in York, to consider 
what was to be done in the present distressed and alarming 
situation of atfairs throughout the British Colonies in 
America. 

"Thomas Nelson, Junr., Esquire, moderator. 

" ' It was then unanimously resolved. That as the constitu- 
tional Assemblies of Virginia have been prevented from ex- 
ercising their right of providing for the security of the hb- 
orties of the people, that right again reverts to the people as 
the fountiiin from whence all pov/er and legislation flow; a 
right coeval with lunnan nature, and which they claim from 
the eternal and innmitablc laws of nature's God. 

" ' Resolved also, That Dudley Digges and Thomas Nelson, 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. '211 

Jr. , Esqrs. , do attend the city of Williamsburg; on the first 
day of Augnst next, in a general convention fi'om the other 
counties in Virginia, there to exert their utmost abilities to 
put a stop to that growing system of Ministerial despotism 
which has so long threatened the destruction of America. 
And that you, our Delegates, may be made acquainted with 
the sentiments of the people of this county, it is their opin- 
ion that you proceed to choose proper persons to represent 
the Colony of Virginia in a general Congress of America, to 
meet at such time and place as may be hereafter agreed on. 

" 'And, further, the people of this county are of opinion 
that the act of the British Parliament laying a duty on tea 
for the purpose of raising a revenue to be collected in Amer- 
ca, without her consent, is an illegal tax. 

" ' That the act which blocks up the port of Boston destroys 
her trade and subjects her inhabitants to the worst of in- 
conveniences and hardships, is oppressive, and unconstitu- 
tional; — that the people of Boston incurred the displeasure 
of Parliament by a just defence of their liberties and prop- 
erties ; and that the cause for which they suffer is the gen- 
eral cause of every British Colony in America. 

"'That the bill commonly called the Murdering Bill, if 
passed into an act, is not only unconstitutional, but shocking 
to human nature ; that its evident design is to privilege the 
soldiers to commit, with impunity, the most cruel outrages 
even against the lives of Americans, whilst it cuts off from 
an accused American eveiy hope of Ibeing acquitted. 

" ' That the most effectual means of obtaining a speedy re- 
dress of American gi-ievances is to put a stop to imports 
from Great Britain, with as few exceptions as possible, until 
the said oppressive acts be repealed and American rights 
established; and that what relates to exports be left to the 
determination of the convention in August.' " 

Fairfax County (Va.) Resolutions. 

" At a general meeting of the freeholders and other inhab- 
itants of the county of Fairfax, as the Court-house, in the 
town of Alexandria, on Monday, the ISth day of July, 1774, 

" Geoi'ge Washington, Esq., chairman ; 

"Robert Harrison, Gentleman, clerk, — 

" ' Eesolved, That this Colony and dominion of Virginia 
cannot be considered as a conquered country, and, if it was, 
that the present inhabitants are the descendents, not of the 
conquered, but of the conquerors. 

" ' That the same was not settled at the national expense of 
England, but at the private expense of the adventurers, our 
ancestors, by solemn compact with, and under the auspices 
and protection of, the British Crown, vipon which we are in 
evei'y respect as dependent as the people of Great Britain, 
and in the same manner subject to all liis Majesty's just, le- 



278 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

cal and constitutional prorogntivcs; that our ancestors, when 
thcV loft their native land and settled in America, brought 
with thern even if the same had not been confirmed by char- 
ters the civil Constitution and form of government of the 
country they came from, and were, by the laws of Nature 
and Nations, entitled to all its privileges, immunities, and 
advantag<"s which have descended to us, their posterity, and 
ought of riglit to be as fully enjoyed as if we had still con- 
tinued within the realm of fenghuid. 

" ' Resolved, That the most important and valuable part of 
the Britisli Constitution, upon which its very existence de- 
pends, is the fundamental principle of the people's being gov- 
erned by no laws to which they have not given their consent 
by representatives freely chosen by themselves, who are 
affected by the laws they enact equally with then- constit- 
uents, to whom they are accountable and whose burthens 
they share, in which consists the safety and happiness of tiie 
community'; for if this part of the Constitution was taken 
away or materially altered, the government must degenerate 
either into an absolute despotic monarchy or a tyrannical 
aristocracv, and the freedom of the peoiile be annihilated. 

" ' Resolved, That taxation and representation are, in their 
nature, inseparable ; that the right of witliliolding or of 
giving and granting their own money is the only effectual 
security to a free people against the encroachments of des- 
potism and tyranny ; and whenever they yield the one, they 
must (luickly fall a prey to the other. 

' ' ' Resolved, That there is a premeditated design and system 
formed and pursued by the British Ministry to introduce an 
arbitrary government into liis ]\Iajesty's American domin- 
ions ; to wliich end they are artfully pi'ejudicing our sover- 
eign and inflaming the minds of our fellow-subjects in Great 
Britain by propagating the most malevolent falsehoods, par- 
ticularly that there is an intention in tlie American Colonies 
to set up for independent states, endeavoring at the same 
time— by vai'ioiis acts of violence and oppression, by sudden 
and repeated dissolutions of oiu* assemblies, whenever they 
]jrfsunie to examine the illegality of Ministerial mandates 
or delil)erate on the violated rights of their constituents, 
and by breaking in upon the American charters— to reduce 
us to a state of desperation, and dissolve the original com- 
pact by which our ancestors bound themselves and their 
posterity to remain dependent upon the Crown, which 
measures, unless effectually counteracted, will end in the ruin 
of hot h Great Britain and lie-r Colonies. 

" 'Resolved. That we cordially join with our friends and 
brethren of this and the other Colonies in such measures as 
shall b(! judged most effectual for procuring a redress of our 
grievances ; and that upon obtaining such redress, if the 
destruction of the tea at Boston be regai-ded as an invasion 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIG. 279 

of private property, we si mil he willing to contribiite towards 
paying the East India Company the value. But as we con- 
sider the said company as the tools and implements of oj)- 
pression in the hands of government, and the cause of the 
present distress, it is the opinion of this meeting that the 
people of these Colonies should forbear any further dealings 
with them by refusing to purchase their merchandise until 
that peace, safety, and good order which they have dis- 
turbed be perfectly restored ; and that all tea now in tliis 
Colony, or which shall be imported into it, shipped before the 
first day of September next, should bedeposited in some store- 
house to be appointed by the respective committees of each 
county, until a sufficient sum of money be raised by sub- 
scription to reimburse the owners the value, and then to be 
publicly burnt and destroyed ; and if the same is not paid 
for and destroyed as aforesaid, that it lemain in the custody 
of the said committees, at the risk of the owners, until the 
act of Parliament imposing a duty upon tea, for raising a 
revenue in America, be repealed, and immediately after- 
wards be delivered unto the several proprietors thereof, their 
agents or attorneys. 

" ' Eesolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, if Ainer- 
ican grievances be not redressed before the first day of Nov- 
ember, 1775, that all exports of produce from the several 
Colonies to Great Britain should cease : and to carry the 
said resohition into execution more efi'ectually, that we will 
not i^lant or cultivate any tobacco after the crop now grow- 
ing, provided the same measure shall be adopted by the 
other Colonies on this continent, as well those who have 
hei-etofore made tobacco, as those who have not. 

' ' ' And it is our opinion also, if the Congress of deputies from 
the several Colonies shall adopt the measure of non-exporta- 
tion to Great Britain, as the people will be thereby disabled 
from paying their debts, that no judgments should be ren- 
dered by the courts in the said Colonies for any debt after 
information of the said measures being determined upon. 

" 'Resolved, That George Washington, Esq., and Charles 
Broadwater, Gentleman, lately elected our representatives 
to serve in the General Assembly, attend the convention at 
Wijliamsburg on the first day of August next, and present 
these resolves as the sense of the people of this county upon 
the measures proper to be taken in the present alarming and 
dangerous situation in America.' " 

Stafford County (Va.) Resolutions. 

" At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of 
the county of Stafford, July, 1774, the following address was 
agreed to be presented : 



280 TlIK BIRTH OF THE llEPUBLIG. 

" To John Ahrnmhr and Charles Carter, Esqrx. : . 

"Gentlemen : You are chosen to convey the sentiments 
of the freeholders and inhabitants of this county, to a meet- 
in-^ of the agents from every county in the Colony, to be 
held at Williamsburg on the 1st day of August. Permit us 
on this occasion to recommend to you a conduct decent, 
thouirh spirited, animated, yet prudent. 

'•Kesolved. That an exemption from Pariiamentary taxa- 
tion is the clear and undoubted right of the American Col- 
onies ; that this right hath been uniformly claimed and 
allowed by the King and Parliament of Great Britain from 
the first settlement of America, and that an attempt to de- 
prive them of this right is both contrary to the laws and 
Constitution of England, and would reduce the Americans to 
a slavery the mostdeplorable and ignominious. 

" Eesolved, That to surrender the inestimable and unques- 
tioned right, which the people of America have, to be taxed 
by theii' renresentatives only, would be a total departure from 
the dignity of human nature, and would argue such a base- 
ness of soul as must render them unworthy of the name of 
British subiccts. 

"Resolved, That every encroachment made by the British 
Pai'liament on the rights of any one of his Majesty's Colonies 
or ])lantations in America ought to be looked upon as an 
infringement upon the just rights and inherent privileges of 
the whole. 

"Resolved, That the only sure and effectual measiu'e to 

E reserve America and disarm the hand of oppression will 
e to put an entire and immediate stop to all intercourse of 
trade with Great Britain and the West Indies, and also to 
the exportation of wheat, flour, pro visions, and lumber to any 
part of Europe." 

Elizabeth City County (Va.) Resolutions. 

" At a meeting of the fi-eeholders and other inhabitants of 
the county of Elizabeth City, and town of Hampton, as- 
sembled at the Court-house, the 25th day of July, 1774, to 
consider of instructions to our late members, or to those 
persons who shall be chosen our representatives at the eilsu- 
ing election ; 

"Henry King, Esq., chosen moderator ; 

" Mr. Robert Bright, clerk, — 

"The foUijwing resolves were agreed to : 

" ' 1st. Tliat tlie people of this county and town arc strongly 
atta<-h(Ml, from principles and education, to his present Ma- 
jesty, KiiiK G('or-(^ the Third, and his family; and they will 
with tlu'ir Hves and fortunes stand by and defend his sacred 
pel-son. Crown, and dignity. 

Resolved, That the representatives of this Colony have, 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLW. 281 

and ever ought to have, the solo right of taxing the inhabi- 
tants of this Colony; and that the assuming of such a power 
by the present or any other Parhatnent of Great Britain 
should ever be considered as a strong proof of that despotic 
tyranny which so strongly marks the present administra- 
tion, and which dictated those late cruel and oppressive acts 
depriving the good people of the Massachusetts Bay of their 
dearest and most invaluable rights. 

"'Resolved, That if a non-importation and -exportation 
agreement should be thought necessary, that our members 
be directed to agree thereto. 

" ' Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that a non- 
importation and -exportation agi'eement is necessary. 

"Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting that any 
merchant or dealer who advances the price of his goods 
upon a non-importation agreement ought to be deemed an 
enemy to his country; and we do most solemnly promise to 
consider him as such, and to withhold all commercial inter- 
course with him. 

" Resolved, That this meeting highly approve of the glow- 
ing zeal of the sister-Colonies upon this trying occasion, and 
heartily sympathize with their persecuted brethren and fel- 
low-subjects, the i^eople of Boston. 

"Resolved, That a subscription for the relief of the un- 
happy poor of Boston ought to be encouraged by all char- 
itable and humane people, and that the' moderator be di- 
rected to solicit contributions for that purpose." 

Albemarle County {Va.) Resolutions. 

" At a meeting of the freeholders of the county of Albe- 
marle, assembled in their collective body at the Court-house 
of the said county on the 26th of July, 1774 : 

" ' Resolved, That the inhabitants of the several Colonies of 
British America are subject to the laws which they adopted 
at their first settlement, and to such others as have since 
been made by their respective legislatures, duly constituted 
and appointed with their own consent. That no other legis- 
lature whatever can rightfully exercise authority over them ; 
and that these privileges they hold as the common rights of 
mankind, confirmed by the political constitutions they have 
respectively assumed, and also by several charters of com- 
pact from the Crown. 

" 'Resolved, That these their natural and legal rights have 
in frequent instances been invaded by the Parliament of 
Great Britain, and particularly were they so by an act lately 
passed to take away the trade of the inhabitants of the town 
of Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay; that all 
such assumptions of unlawful power are dangerous to the 
rights of the British empire in general, and should be con- 
sidered as its common cause; and that.we will ever be ready 



282 THE BIRTH OF TUB REPUBLIC. 

i^^ join witli our fellow-subjects in every part of the same in 
executing all those riu:htful powers which God has given us 
for the re-establishing and guaranteeing such their Constitu- 
tion and rights when, where, and by whomsoever mvaded. 
" 'It is the opinion of this meeting that the most eligible 
means of effecting these purposes will be to put an imme- 
diate stop to all imports from Great Britain (cotton, osna- 
brigs. striped duffil, medicines, gunpowder, lead, books, and 
l>rint('d papers, the necessary tools and implements for the 
liandieraft arts and manufactures excepted for a Umited 
term) and to all exports thereto after the 1st day of Octobei-, 
which shall be in the year of our Lord 1775; and imme- 
diately to discontinue all commercial intercourse with every 
part of the Bi-itish empire which shall not in like manner 
break off their commerce with Great Britain. It is the 
opinion of this meeting that we immediately cease to import 
all commodities from every part of the world which are sub- 
jected by the British Parhament to the payment of duties 
in America.' " 

Accomack County (Va.) Resolutions. 

" At a meeting of a very respectable body of the freehold- 
ers and other inhabitants of the county of Accomack, at the 
Court-house, July 27, 1774, 

" James Henry, Esq., in the chair, 

"The meeting, taking into their serious consideration the 
present critical and alarming condition of this country re- 
specting her present disputes with Great Britain, do unani- 
mously resolve as follows: 

" ' 1st. That we do owe and will pay due allegiance to his 
Majesty King George the Third. 

" *2(1. That all his Majesty's subjects in America are by 
birthright entitled to all the rights and immunities of Brit- 
Lsh-born subjects, one of which, and of the greatest import- 
ance, is that no tax, aid, tallage, or other imposition shall 
be laid upon them but by their own consent by their repre- 
sentatives. 

" ' :3d. That the town of Boston in our sister-Colony is now 
suffering in the common cause of American liberty. 

" ' '1th. That the powers claimed by the British Parliament, 
and now carrying into execution against the town of Boston, 
are fundamentally wrong, and cannot be admitted without 
the utter destruction of American liberty, and are intended 
to operate o(iually against the rights and liberties of the 
other Colonies. 

'"5th. That the inhabitants of this county, confiding in 
the i)rudcnce and ability of their representatives who are to 
meet then- brethren at Williamsburg on the 1st day of August 
next, will rliecrrully submit to any nieasures which may be 
concluded upon at the s;dd general meeting, as best to be 



THE BIRTn OF THE REPUBLIO. 283 

adopted for restoring harmony between the mother-country 
and her Colonies. 

" ' Ordered, That these resolves be forthwith printed.' 

"John Powell, Cleric.''^ 

Princess Anne County {Va.') Resolutions. 

"At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of 
the county of Princess Anne, on due notice given by one of 
the late representatives, held at the Court-house of the said 
county on Wednesday, the 27th day of July, 1774, and they, 
after choosing, 

"Anthony Lawson, Esq., moderator, came to the follow- 
ing resolutions : 

" ' Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting that it is 
an absolute right, inherent in every British American sub- 
ject, to have and enjoy such freedoms and privileges as be- 
long to the free people of England ; and that he cannot be 
taxed but by his own consent or representative. 

" 'Resolved, That it is the opiiiion of this meeting that 
every attempt to impose taxes by any other authority is a 
tyrannical exertion of power and a violation of the Constitu- 
tional and just rights and liberties of the subject; and that 
the acts for blocking up the harbor of Boston, for altering 
the chartered Constitution of the Massachusetts Bay, and 
for the suppression of riots and tumults are cruel and op- 
pressive invasions of the natural rights of the people of the 
said Province, as men, and of their Constitutional rights as 
English subjects. 

" ' Resolved, That the town of Boston and the Province of 
Massachusetts Bay are now suffering in the common cause of 
America, as the said acts would lay a foundation for the 
utter destruction of the I'ights and liberties of the subjects 
of British America. 

" ' Resolved, That our burgesses be hereby instructed to 
use their utmost endeavors at the ensuing Congress at Wil- 
liamsburg to procure a general association for stopping all 
importation from and exportation to Grea,t Britain, except 
such articles as shall there be agreed upon, as the most 
effectual means to obtain redress ; the non-importation and 
non-exportation to take place on such future day as may be 
agreed on by the general Congress of Deputies from the sev- 
eral Colonies. 

"'Resolved, That our burgesses be instructed to vote 
against every motion or proposal for clogging the usual im- 
ports from and exports to the West Indies. 

" 'Resolved, That our burgesses be instructed to oppose 
the importation of slaves and convicts as injurious to this 
Colony, by preventing the population of it by freemen and 
useful manufacturers.'" 



284 TUE BIRTH OF TEE REPUBLIC. 

BucMngham County (Va.) Resolutions. 

" At a meeting of the freoholders and other inhabitants of 
the county of Buckingham, at the Court-house, the 28th of 
July, 1774, they took under their consideration the truly 
alanning state of the several British Colonies from sundry 
acts of Parliament, which, if carried into execution, must 
reduce the whole to an abject state of slavery; at which time 
they came to the following resolutions : 

"Resolved, That we will, at the risk of our lives and 
fortunes, defend his Majesty's right and title to the Crown 
of Great Britain and his American dominions, against all 
and every power whatsoever; and that we do acknowledge 
and profess all due obedience to him. 

'•Resolved, That we will not pay any tax that is or may 
be laid by the Parliament of Great Britain for the purpose 
of raising a revenue in Amei'ica ; our own legislature, with 
the consent of his Majesty, being one legally vested with a 
power of laying taxes on the inhabitants of this Colony. 

*' Resolved, That the act of Parliament for blocking up the 
harbor of Boston ; also one other act for carrying persons to 
Great Britain or elsewhere to be tried for offences ; as also 
the act for depriving our sister-Colony of Massachusetts 
Bay of their Charter— are unjust, arbitrary, and unconstitu- 
tional ; and that we consider an attack on the liberties of 
one of our sister-Colonies as an attack on the whole of Brit- 
ish America." 

Augusta County (Va.) Resolutions 

" of Fcbruarj' 1775. 
' ' After due notice given to the freeholders of Augusta 
county, to meet in Staunton for the purpose of electing 
Delegates to represent them in Colony convention at the 
town of Richmond on the 20th day of March (1775), the free- 
holders of said county thought proper to refer the choice of 
their Delegates to the judgment of the committee, who, thus 
authorized by the general voice of the people, met at the 
Coiu-t house on the 22d day of February and unanimously 
chose Mr. Thomas Lewis and Captain Samuel McDowell to 
represent them in the ensuing convention. Instructions 
were then ordered to be drawn up by the Reverend Alexan- 
der Balmain, Mr. Sampson Matthews, Captain Alexander 
McClenachan, Mr. ]\Iichael Bowyer, Mr. William Lewis, and 
Captain George Matthews, or any of them, and delivered to 
the delegates then chosen ; which are as follows : 

To Mr. Tfioiwix Ij-ms and Captain Samuel McDowell : 

"The committee of Augusta county, pursuant to the trust 
reposed m thent by the freehoMers of the same, have chosen 
you to represent them in a Colony convention proposed to 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 285 

be held in Eichmond on the 20th of March instant. They 
desire that you may consider the people of Augusta county 
as impressed with just sentiments of loyalty and allegiance 
to his Majesty King George, whose title to the imperial 
Crown of Great Britain rests on no other foundation than 
the liberty, and whose glory is imseparable from the happi- 
ness, of all his subjects. We have also a respect for the par- 
ent-state, which respect is founded on religion, on law, and 
the genuine principles of the Constitution. On these prin- 
ciples do we earnestly desire to see harmony and a good 
imderstanding restored between Great Britain and Amer- 
ica. Many of us and our forefathers left their native land, 
and explored this once savage wilderness, to enjoy the free 
exercise of the rights of conscience and of human nature. 
These rights we ai-e fully resolved, with our lives and fort- 
unes, inviolably to preserve; nor will we surrender such 
inestunable blessings, the purchase of toil and danger to any 
Ministry, to any Parliament, or any body of raen upon 
earth by whom we are not represented and in whose deci- 
sions therefore we have no voice." 

Virginia Convention. 

At a very full meeting of Delegates from the different 
counties in the Colonj^ and dominion of Virginia, begun in 
Williamsburg the first day of August, in the year of our 
Lord 1774, and continued by several adjournments to Sat- 
urday the 6th of the same month, the following association 
was unanimously resolved upon and agreed to : 

" 1st. We do hereby resolve and declare that we will not 
either directly or indirectly, after the first day of November 
next, imi)ort from Great Bx'itain any goods, waives, or mer- 
chandise whatever, medicines excepted; nor will we, after 
that date, import any British manufactures either from the 
West Indies or any other place ; nor any articles whatever 
which we shall know or have reason to believe was brought 
into such countries from Great Britain; nor will we pur- 
chase any such articles so imported of any person or per- 
sons whatsoever, except such as are now in the country, or 
such as may arrive on or before the first day of November 
in consequence of orders ah-eady given, and which cannot 
now be countermanded in time. 

"2d. We will neither ourselves import, or purchase any 
slave or slaves imported by any other person, after the first 
day of November next, either from Africa, the West Indies, 
or any other place. 

"3d. Considering the article of tea as the detestable in- 
strument which laid the foundation of the present sufferings 
of our distressed friends in the town of Boston, we view it 
with horror; and therefore resolve that we will not from 
this day either import tea of any kind Avhatever, nor will 



28tj TUE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

wc use or suffer even such of it as is now on hand, to he used 
in any of our families. 

'■4th. If the inhabitants of the town of Boston, or any- 
other Colony, should by violence or dire necessity be com- 
pelled to pay the East India Company for destroying? any 
tea which they have lately by their agents unjustly at- 
tempted to force into the Colonies, we will not directly or 
indirectly imjioi't or pin-chase any British East India com- 
modity whatever till the company, or some other parson on 
their behalf, shall refund and fully restore to the owners 
such sum or sums of money as may be extorted. 

"5th. We do resolve that, unless American grievances are 
redressed before the 10th day of August, 1775, we Avill not 
after that day directly or indirectly exjDort tobaccco or any 
other articles whatever to Great IBritain; nor will we sell 
any such articles as we think can be exported to Great 
Britain, with a prospect of gain, to any person or persons 
whatsoever, witli a design of putting it into his or their 
power to export the same to Great Britain either on our 
own, his, or their account. And that this resolution may 
be the more effectually carried into execution, we do hereby 
recommend it to the inhabitants of this Colony to refrain 
from the cultivation of tobacco as much as conveniently 
may be; and in lieu thereof, that tliey wUl, as we resolve 
to do, apply their attention and industry to the cultivation 
of all such articles as may form a proper basis for manufac- 
tures of all sorts which we will endeavor to encoui-age 
throughout this Colony to the utmost of our abilities." 

Hugh Mercer, etc., to Captain Wm. Grayson. 

" Fkedericksburo, Va., April 24, 1775. 

"Sir: From undoubted authority, we received here this 
day morning the very disagreeable intelligence that, in the 
night of Thursday last. Captain Collins, commander of one 
of his Majesty's sloops-of-war, by command of his Excel- 
lency the Governor, assisted a company of marines, carried 
off all the powder from the magazine in the city of Wil- 
liainshnrg. and deposited it on board his vessel, which lay 
at Burwell's Ferry, about five miles below the city. 

"The said authority infoi-ms us that the corporation of 
the city of Williamsburg addressed the Governor on that 
occa.sion. The people have received no satisfaction; nor 
are they likely to recover the powder, though it is so neces- 
sary for the security of the country. This behig a day of 
meeting oC the Independent Company of this town, they 
considered it necessary to take the matter into serious con- 
sideration, and are come to a unanimous resolution tliat a 
submission to so arbitrary an exertion of government may 
nut only i>i-ejudice the common cause by introducing a sus- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 287 

picion of defection of this Colony from the noble pursuit, but 
will encourage the tools of despotism to commit further acts 
of violence in this Colony, and more esiDecially subject the 
arms in the magazine to the same fate as the powder. In 
these sentiments this Company could but determine that a 
number of public-spirited gentlemen should embrace this 
opportunity of showing their zeal in the grand cause by 
marching to Williamsburg to inquire into this affair, and 
there to take such steps as may best answer the pui-pose of 
recovering the powder and securing the arms now in the 
magazine. To this end they have determined to hold them- 
selves in readiness to march from this place as light horse 
on Saturday morning; and in the mean time to submit the 
matter to the determmation of yours and the neighboring 
counties, to whom expresses are purposely forwarded. We 
address you in the name of our Company as its officers, and 
are, sir, your very humble servants. 

"Hugh Mercer, G. Weldon, 

" Alexander Spotswood, Jno. Willis. 
"To Captain Wm. Grayson." 

Captains Grayson and Lee to Colonel Washington. 

" Dumfries, Ap'l 26, 1775. 
"Sir: We have lust received a letter from the officers of 
the Independent (jompany, of Spottsylvania, which I have 
herewith enclosed. We immediately called together this 
company and had the vote put, whether they Avould march 
to Williamsburg for the purposes mentioned in that letter, 
which was carried unanimously. 

"We have nothing more to add, but that we are well 
assured you may depend on them either for that or any 
other service which respects the liberties of America. We 
expect your answer and determination by Mr. Davess. 
"We have the honor to be, etc., 

" WiLLiABi Grayson, 
" Phil. Ed. Frans. Lee. 
"By order of the Company." 

Officers of Albemarle Volunteers to Colonel George Wash- 
ington. 

" CHARLOTTESVn.LE, Ap"l 29, 1775. 

"Sir: The county of Albemarle in general, and the Gen- 
tleman Volunteers in particular, are truly alarmed and 
highly incensed with the unjustifiable proceedings of Lord 
Dunmoro, who, we are informed, has clandestinely taken 
possession of our ammunition lodged in the magazine. We 
should have attended at Fredericksburg, in order to have 
proceeded to Wilhamsburg to demand a return of the powder, 
had the alarm reached us before an account of security being 
given for its delivery. 



28S THE BIRTE OF THE REPUBLIV. 

''However, to assure you and the world of our readiness 
and willinpiess to resent any encroachments of arbitrary 
power, we now declare to you, should it be necessary, that 
the First Company of Independents for Albemarle will at- 
tend in Williamsburg, properly equipped and prepared to 
enforce an immediate clelivery of powder (if not to be ob- 
tained otlierwise) or die in the attempt. 

" With respect, we remain, ready to obey your commands, 
" Charles Lewis, Captain; 
"George Gilmer, Lieutenant; 
"John Marks, 2d Lieutenant. 
"P. S.— The Company will stand under arms all day on 
Tuesday, waitmg your answer." 

Meeting of Freeholders of King William County, Virginia. 

"At a meeting of the freeholders of the county of King 
William, at the Court-house, on Monday, the first day of 
May (1775), Carter Braxton and William Aylett, Esqrs., were 
unanimously chosen their delegates to represent them in con- 
vention for one year from the date thereof. A subscription 
being then opened for the relief of our brethren in Massa- 
chusetts Bay, and it being thought highly necessary at this 
important crisis that supplies sliould be sent to them, and, 
money being the only means by which that relief could be 
atforded with certainty, the sum of one hundred and seventy- 
five pounds was immediately contributed, and it is expected 
that a much larger sum will be given when collections are 
made from the whole comity." 

Hanover County (Va.) Committee. 

" At a meeting appointed and held for Hanover county, at 
the Court-house, on Tuesday, the 9th of May, 1775: Present, 
John Syme, Samuel Overton, William Cranch, Meri'iwether 
Skelton, Kichard Morris, Benjamin x\nderson, John Pendle- 
ton, John Robinson, Nelson Berkeley, and George Dabney, 
Junior,— agreeable to a resolution, 6i the committee held at 
New Castle the 2d instant, setting forth that they, being 
fully informed of the violent hostilities committed by the 
King's troops in America, and of the danger arising to the 
Colonies by the loss of the public powder, and of the conduct 
of the Governor, which thi-eatens altogether calamities of 
the gi'eatest magnitude and most fearfid consequences to 
this Colony; and therefore recommending reprisals to be 
made upon the King's property sulTicient to replace the gun- 
powder taken out of the magazine,— it appears to this Com- 
mittee, the Volunteers, who niarclied from New Castle to ob- 
tnin satisfaction for the gunpowder by reprisal or otherwise, 
proceerled on that business as follows^ to wit: 

" That an officer with sixteen men was df^tached to seize 
the King's receiver general, with orders to detain him; and 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIG. 289 

this, it was supposed, might be done without impeding the 
progress of the main body. The said receiver-general not 
being apprehended, owing to his absence from home, the 
said detachment, according to orders, proceeded to join the 
main body on its march to Wilhamsburg, and the junction 
happened on the 3d instant at Doncastle's Ordinary about 
sunset. A little after sunrise next morning, the command- 
ing officer being assured that proper satisfaction in money 
should be instantly made, the Volunteers halted, and the 
proposal, being considered by them, was jvidged satisfactory 
as to that point; and the following receipt was given, to wit: 

" ' Doncastle's Ordinary, I 
New Kent, May 4, 1775. ( 

" ' Received from the Honourable Eichard Corbin, Esq., his 
Majesty's receiver-general, £330, as a compensation for the 
powder lately taken out of the public magazine by the Gov- 
ernor's ord.er; which money I promise to convey to the 
Virginia Delegates at the general Congress, to be under their 
direction laid out in gunpowder for the Colony's use, and to 
be stored as they shall direct, imtil the next Colony conven- 
tion or General Assembly, unless it shall be necessary in the 
mean time to use the same in defence of this Colony. It is 
agreed that in case the next convention shall determine that 
any part of the said money ought to be returned to his 
Majesty's receiver-general, that the same shall be done ac- 
cordingly. Patrick Henry, Jun'r.'' 

" It was then considered that as a general Congress would 
meet in a few days, and probably a Colony convention 
would shortly assemble, and that tiie repiisal now made 
would ami^ly replace the powder, with the charges of trans- 
portation, the commanding officer wrote the following letter 
and sent by express : 

" 'May 4, 1775. 

" 'Sir: The affair of the powder is now settled so as to 
produce satisfaction to me, and, I earnestly wish, to the 
Colony in general. 

" 'The people here have it in cliarge from the Hanover 
Committee to tender their services to you as a public officer 
for the purpose of escorting the public treasury to any place 
in this Colony where the money would be judged more safe 
than in the city of Williamsburg. The reprisal now made 
by the Hanover Volunteers, though accomplished in a man- 
ner least liable to the imputation of violent extremity, may 
possibly be the cause of future injury to the treasury. If, 
therefore, you apprehend the least danger, a sufficient guard 
is at your service. 

'"I beg the return of the hearer may be instant, because 
the men wish to knov\^ their destination. 

" 'With great respect, I am, sir, 

" 'Your most humble servant, 

" ' Patrick Henry, Junior.'' " 
"To Robert Carter Nicholas, Treasurer.''^ 



290 TEE BIRTH OF THE IlEPUBLIC. 

"To whicli answer was received from the said Mr. Nich- 
olis iinportine; that ho had no apprehension of the necessity 
or propriety ol! the proffered service. For which reasons, 
and uudorstanding. moreover, for others, that the private 
citizens of Wi'diamsbugh were in a great measure quieted 
from theii- late apprehensions for their persons and property, 
the Vohmteers judged it best to return home, and did so 
accordingly iu order to await the further dii-ections of the 
Gencnxl Congress or Colony Convention. 

Augusta County {Va.) Committee. 

" At a meeting of the inhabitants of that part of Augusta 
county that hes on the west side of the Laurel Hill, at 
Pittsburgh, the 16th day of May, 1775, 

'" Resolved unanimously. That this committee have the 
highest sense of the spirited behaviour of their brethren in 
New England, and do most cordially approve of their oppos- 
ing the invaders of American I'ights and privileges to the 
utmost extreme, and that each member of this committee, 
respectively, will animate and encourage their neighborhood 
to follow the brave example.' " 

General Washington to Joseph Reed. 
(Extract.) 

" Cambrtdge, February 10, 1776. 

"With respect to myself, I have never entertained an idea 
of an accomodation since I heard of the measures which 
were adopted in consequence of the Bunker's Hill fight. 
The King's speech has coniirmed the sentiments I enter- 
tained upon the news of that affair; and if every man was 
of my mind, the Ministers of Groat Britain should know in a 
few words upon what issue the cause should be put. I 
would not be deceived by artful declarations nor specious 
pretences, nor would I be amused by unmeaning proposi- 
tions, - but in open, undisgiiised, and manly terms proclaim 
our wrong, and our resolution to be redressed. I would tell 
them that wo had borne much; that we had ardently long 
sought for reconciliation upon bonoralile terms; that it had 
been denied us; that all our attempts after peace had proved 
abortive, and had been grossly misrepresented; that we had 
done everything which could be expected from the best of 
subjects; that the sph'it of freedom rises too high in us to 
submit to slavery ; and that if nothing else would satisfy a 
tvrant and his diabolical Ministry, we are determined to 
snake off all connections with a state so unjust and un- 
natural. 

"This I woidd tell them, not under covert, but in words as 
clear as the sun in its meridian brightness." 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 291 

Virginia Convention. 

" Wednesday, May 15, 1776. 

" Present, one hundred and twelve members. . . . 

" 'Wherefore, appeahng to the Searcher of hearts for the 
sincerity of former declarations, expressing our desire to 
preserve tlie connection with that nation, and that we are 
driven from that inchnation by their wicked counsels and 
the eternal laws of self-preservation, — 

"'Resolved unanimously, That the Delegates appointed 
to represent this Colony in General Congress be instructed 
to propose to that respectable body to declare the United 
Colonies free and independent states; absolved from all 
allegiance to or dependence upon the Crown or Parliament 
of Great Britain ; and that they give the assent of this Col- 
ony to such declaration and to whatever measure may be 
thought proper and necessary by the Congress for forming 
foreign alliances, and a confederation of the Colonies at such 
time and in the manner as to them shall seem best : pro- 
vided that the power of forming government for and regu- 
lations for the internal concerns of the Colony be left to the 
respective Colonial legislatures. 

" 'Eesolved unanimously, That a committee be appointed 
to prepare a declaration oi rights, and such a plan of gov- 
ernment as will be most likely to maintain peace and order 
in this Colony, and secure substantial and equal liberty to 
the people. Edmund Pendelton, President.''' 

NORTH CAROLINA. 

The people of North Carolina, like those of Massachu- 
setts, had from the earliest times regarded England rather 
as a cruel step-mother than as a loving parent. The Colony, 
for the greater part of a century, was under a government of 
lords proprietors, w^hose interest in the inhabitants was that 
of absentee landlords, and whose care for their welfare con- 
sisted in sending out their needy and profligate relations 
and dependents to govern them. The transfer of the Colony 
to the Crown, in 1729, by increasing official responsibility, 
was a great advantage, but it was far from insuring good 
government and a contented people. 

" The civil and military officers of the Crown in America," 
says Bancroft, "were nearly all men of British birth, who 
had obtained their places for the sake of profit, and had no 
higher object than to augment and assure their gains. 
For this reason they wished to become independent of Col- 
onial legislatures for their support, and to strengthen the 
delegated executive power." He speaks of Try on. "as the 
able but selfish Tryon, who, under a smooth exterior, con- 
cealed the heart of a savage." Bernard, the Governor of 
Massachusetts, and Hutchinson and Oliver, who held more 



202 TJIE BlRTn OF TEE REPUBLIC. 

than ono each of the highest oJBBces in the Colony, includ- 
ing judgeships, '' with perseverance equalled only by their 
duplicity, sought to increase their emoluments to free them- 
selves fi'oia ' their dependence on tlie people for a necessary 
sui»j)ort,'and consolidate their authority by the presence of a 
small standing army." 

It has already been explained that the corruption and 
tyranny practised by the officers of the law had produced 
the rebellion of the Regulators, which was suppressed in 
blood in 1771 ; and that the part taken by the gentlemen of 
the low country in that affair, against their humbler fellow- 
subjects of thehUls, htid the effect of alienating thousands of 
the latter from the cause of the Revolution. And if this un- 
fortunate affair had not occurred at that time, the Colony 
would have been as nearly unanimous for independence as 
New England. But in spite of it. North Carolina was ever 
among the most forward to defend the coimuon cause. 
Entirely engaged in agricvdture, and thus secluded from the 
world, her people felt the weight of the British taxes but 
slightly; and their enthusiasm for the invaded right of the 
Colonies to tax themselves was inspired by devotion to the 
rinciple, and by generous sympathy with their suffei'ing 
rethren farther North, rather than by the grievance they 
suffered. 

The act of Parliament of 17G6, to take effect in June, 1767, 
for laying duties on tea, glass, paints, oils, and paper, re- 
awakened the spirit of resistance throughout the Colonies 
which had been so effective when the Stamp Act was 

Cassed. The following account of the action of the Assem- 
ly on this occasion is from Williamson's history : 

"Tliis revenue law was opposed, as the second had been, 
by resolutions, petitions, and remonstrances. The British 
Ministry in the mean time used their utmost endeavors to 
prevent a general association of the Colonics. For this pur- 
pose Governor Tryon, according to his instructions, assured 
the Assembly (twenty-third October, 1769) that, 'notwith- 
standing cruel repoi'ts, his Majesty had no desire to lay 
further burdens on America, for the purpose of raising a 
revenue; and that he would propose to Parliament, next 
session, to take off the duties upon glass, paper, and colors, 
as laid contrary to the princi])les of commerce." 

As the right of imposing taxes by Parliament was gen- 
erally denied in the Colonies, the Assembly were little grat- 
ified by a Ministerial declaration wliich retained the right 
of taxing, while it temporized by shifting the objects. With 
this vievy they were unanimous, eighty members being 
jirescnt. in resolving, — 

'' Tiiat the solo right of imposing taxes on the inhabitants 
of North Carohna has ever been vested in the House of As- 
sembly. 



I 



THE BIRTH OF TUE REPUBLIC. 293 

" That the inhabitants have the undoubted right of peti- 
tioning for a redress of grievances. 

" That the trials for treasons committed in the Colony 
ought to be had here ; and removing suspected persons to 
be tried beyond the sea is derogatory to the rights of a Brit- 
ish subject." 

The i^ssembly at the same time prepared a petition of 
similar import to be forwarded to the King, through their 
agent in London. 

The Grovernor, next day, 4th November, 1769, informed the 
house that, looking over their journals, he found resolutions 
that "had sapped the foundation of confidence and grati- 
tude;" wherefore it became his duty to dissolve the Assem- 
bly. He dissolved them accordingly. 

Wilmington (N. C.) Resolutions. 

" At a general meeting of the inhabitants of the district of 
Wilmington, in the Province of North Carolina, held at the 
town of Wilmington, July 21, 1774, 

" Williain Hooper, Esq., chairman, — 

"'Resolved, That Colonel James Moore, John Ancrum, 
Frederick Jones, Samuel Ashe, Robert Howe, Robert Hogg, 
Francis Clayton, and Archibald Maclain, Esqrs. , be a com- 
mittee to prepare a circular-letter to the several counties of 
this Province, expressive of the sense of the inhabitants of 
this district with respect to the several acts of Parliament 
lately made for the oppression of our sister-Colony of the 
Massachusetts Bay for having exerted itself in defence of 
the Constitutional rights of America. 

" 'Resolved, That it will be highly expedient that the sev- 
eral counties of this Province should send deputies to attend 
a general meeting at Johnston Court-house on the 20th day 
of August next, then and there to debate upon the present 
alarming state of British America, and, in concert with tlie 
other Colonies, to adopt and prosecute such measures as will 
juost effectually tend to avert the miseries that threaten us. 

" 'Resolved, That we are of opinion, in order to effect an 
imifoj'ui plan for the conduct of all North Anieinca, that it 
will be necessary that a general Congress be held, and that 
deputies should there be pi^esent from the several Colonies, 
fully informed of the sentiments of those in whose behalf 
they appear, that such regulations may then be made as will 
tend most effectvially to produce an alteration in the British 
policy, and to bring about a change honorable and bene- 
ficial to all America. 

" ' Resolved, That we have the most grateful sense of the 
spirited conduct of Marjdand, Virginia, and all the other 
northern Provinces, and also the Province of South Caro- 
lina, upon tliis interosLing occasion, and will with our purses 
and persons concur with them in all loyal measures that 



294 THE BTRTR OF TEE BEPUBLTO. 

may bo conceived by the Colonies in general as most expe- 
dient in order to bring about the end which we earnestly 
A\ish for. 

'"Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting that 
Philadelphia will be the most proper place for holding the 
American Congress, and the 20th day of September the 
most suitable time; but in this we submit our own to the 
general convenience of the other Colonies. 

'"Resolved, That we consider the cause of the town of 
Boston cas the common cause of British America, and the 
inhabitants tliereof as suffering in the defence of the rights 
of tlie Colonies in general ; and that therefore we have, in 
pro])orti<in to our abilities, sent a supply of provisions for 
the indigent inhabitants of that place, thereby to express our 
sympathy in their sufferings, and as an earnest of our sin- 
cere intentions to contribute by every moans in our power 
to alleviate their cUstress, and to induce them to maintain, 
with prudence and firmness, the glorious cause in which 
they are at present embai'ked.' 

" Wilmington, July 27. 

" In a former paper we observed a subscription had been 
opened here in behalf of such people in Boston as are deprived 
by the stoppage wantonly put to the trade of that place, of 
the usual means of subsisting themselves and their families; 
we now ol)serve with particular pleasure that several widow 
ladies of this town liave contributed very liberally to that 
benevolent design." 

Halifax County (N. C.) Committee Resolutions. 

" At a meeting of the committee for the said county on the 
21st day of December, 1774, present: William Jones, chair- 
man ; Nicholas Long, John Bradford, James Hagan, Benja- 
min iMcCuUoch, Joseph John Williams, William Alston, 
Egbert Haywood, David Sumner, Samuel Weldon, and 
Thomas Haynes; 

" It being represented to the committee that Mr. Andrew 
■Miller, merchant in Hahfax town, refused to sign the Asso- 
ciation,— 

'"Ordered, Tliat Mr. Egbert Haywood and Mr. Thonias 
Haynes wait on him, and desire his attendance before this 
committee, 

''Upon which he attended accordingly, refused to sign, 
and gave the following reasons, to wit: 

'" For that I am largely indebted, and have effects in my 
hands belonging, to persons residing in Great Britain : which 
debts and ctTccts I cannot remit forbv next September, after 
winch I should be bound bv this Association not to export 
any merchandise or commodity whatever to that country, 
without certain laws are roixvilcd which I think would bo 
unjust, .-iH it may be out of the power of my creditors or 
friends to procure the rei)eal of any law, however willing 



TEE BIRTH OF TEE REPUBLIC. 295 

they ma;^ be to exert their interest for that purpose ; and as 
I think it unjust to withhold from any person (even in a 
country at war with this) the property which might belong 
to him in my hands, I must therefore object to signing that 
part of the Association respecting a non-exportation to Brit- 
ain, and shall continue to do so while I have any property 
in my hands belonging to people of that country.' 

"Since, therefore, there is nothing peculiar or satisfactory 
in Ms reasons, but that, on the contrary, they indicate an 
intention to export (if he can) after the first day of Septem- 
ber next, — 

"Resolved unanimously, to show our disapprobation of 
his conduct, and to encourage such merchants as have 
signed the Association, That we will not, from this day, pur- 
chase any goods, wares, or merchandise of any kind what- 
ever from said Andrew Miller, or any person acting for or 
in partnership with him; and that we Aviil have no com- 
merce or dealing with him, after paying our just debts and 
fulfilling the contracts already entered into for commodities 
of this year's produce; and we also recommend it to the 
people of this county in particular, and to all who wish well 
to their country, to adopt the same measure.' 

"Signed by order of the same Committee, 

"A. Davis, Clerk.'''' 

Governor Martin. 

In 1775, Governor Martin was charged with having given 
encouragement to the slaves to revolt. June 24th, he ad- 
dressed a letter from Fort Johnston to Lewis H. de Rossett, 
Esq., a member of the Council, in which he emphatically 
denies the charge, but adds "that nothing could ever justify 
the design, falsely imputed to me, of giving encouragement 
to the negroes, 'but the actual and declared rebellion of the 
King's subjects, and the failure of all other means to main- 
tain the King's government.' " 

This answer was only a mitigation of the charge, ard 
brought forth the indignant denunciation of the N^ewbern 
Committee, which is signed by Richard Cogdell, Esq., a 
distinguished Whig of that town. Martin, at the time of 
writing this letter, was a refugee from the real or appre- 
hended vengeance of the people of the Colony. 

" Newbern (N. C), August .5, 1775. 
" By a gentleman just come to town from Cape Fear, we 
have a certain account that the armed force which lately 
went down to burn Fort Johnston have effected the same 
by destroying all the houses and rendering the fortress en- 
tii-ely useless. Captain Collet, who commanded that fort, 
it is said, had a number of slaves, which he had instigated 
to revolt from their masters, actually concealed in the fort, 



L>!)0 THE BinTn OF THE REPXfBLlO. 

which -were again recovered by their several ownere. For 
this treachery they burnt his dwelling-house, with all his 
furniture and everything valuable he had not time to get 
on board the man-of-war." 

Northampton Co. {N. C.) Committee. 

At a meeting of the committee of the county aforesaid, 
the nth (lay of August, 1775, the Rev. Mr. Charles Edward 
Taylor, chairman: 

'"'This committee, taking into their consideration the clan- 
destine manner of Anthony Warwick's conveying powder 
from Virginia to Hillsborough, and also examining witnesses 
and papers relative thereto, do, — 

"Resolve. That the said Anthony Warwick has violated 
the association in a flagrant manner, and showed himself in 
the highest degree an enemy to the rights and liberties of 
America; ami the committee do consider him as an object 
to be held in the utmost detestation by all lovers of Ameri- 
can freedom. 

" Ordered, That the clerk of this committee do transmit a 
copy of the above resolve to Dixon and Hunter, to be pub- 
lished in their Gazette. 

" Eaton Haynes, Clerk to Committee.''^ 



Anson County (N. C). 

The Tories of Anson County, 227 in number, addressed a 
letter of some length to the royal Governor, Martin, in 
wliich they express their "disapprobation and abhorrence 
of the manv lawless combinations and unwarrantable prac- 
tices actually carrying on by a gross tribe of infatuated 
anti-monarchists in the several Colonies of these domin- 
ions," etc. 

The names are not attached to the printed copy in the 
Ainci-iean Archives. 

Tlie Tories of Guilford county addressed a letter of similar 
import to Governor Martin, said to have been signed by 116 
inhabitants of the county. They say, "and we, being a poor 
and unhappy people, lying under the reflection of the late 
insurrecti(ni, we therefore have taken this opportunity to 
show forth our loyalty," etc. In other words, they were 
the Regulators, who had been subdued by the aid of the lead- 
ing Whigs a f(;w years prior to the date of the letter. 

One hundred and ninety-five of the inhabitants of Rowan 
anfl Surry counties sent up a similar lettei', protesting their 
loy;ilty to the Crown, and their abhorrence of the measiu-es 
of resistance to British tyranny. They were doubtless all 
of the class of Regulators. 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 297 

Convention at Neivbern. 

"April 6, 1775. 

"Mr. Thomas Macknight, a Delegate of the county of 
Currituck, having been called upon to sign (with the other 
members of the convention) the Association approved of by 
the Continental Congress, thereupon refused, and withdrew 
himself. 

"Resolved, That it is the opinion of this convention that, 
from the disingenuous and equivocal behaviour of the said 
Thomas Macknight, it is manifest his intentions are inimical 
to the cause of American liberty ; and we do hold him up as 
a proper object of contempt to this continent, and recom- 
mend that every person break off all connection and have 
no more future commercial intercourse or dealings with 
him. 

"Resolved, That the above resolve be published in the 
gazettes of this and the neighboring Colonies. 

" A true copy from the minutes. 

"Attested by Andrew Knox, ClerJc.'''' 

The colleagues of Mr. Macknight, from Currituck, and also 
the representatives from Pasquotank, protested against the 
injustice which they said was done that gentleman; but 
their protest was not allowed to go on the journal, and the 
consequence was that they withdrew from the meeting, 
although pledging their adherence to the continental agree^ 
ment. 

" Newbern, April 12, 1775. 
" The Governor and Council order that the name of John 
Harvey, Esq., be stricken from Commission of the Peace of 
Perquimans Co., in consequence of his having presided as 
moderator of the Convention at Newbern." 

Circular-letter from the Wilmington Committee to the 
freeholders of the several counties of the Province of North 
Carolina : 

"Gentlemen: At this conjuncture of British politics, 
when the liberty and property of North American subjects 
are at stake ; when the schemes of a designing Minister are 
so far matured to action that the port of Boston is shut up, 
that the Charter of Massachusetts Bay is cruelly infringed, 
and its government converted into one nearly military, — to 
be silent would be insidious. 

"To avoid such an imputation to this part of the Pi'ovince, 
we, the subscribers, ap]")ointed a Committee of Coi-respond- 
ence for the town and district of Wilmington, at a most 
respectable meeting of the freeholders of this district, by 
their express comr.iand, take this earliest opportunity of 
acquainting you with tlieir resolutions, a copy of which we 
now enclose you; and rcquesi that you would send the 



298 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 



members already by you elected to represent you in the 
General Assembly, or such other persons whom you shall 
approve of, to appear as your deputies at the Court-house of 
Johnston county, on the '20th day of August next, possessed 
of the sentiments of those in whose behalf they attend, and 
with full power to express it as obligatory on the future con- 
duct of the inhabitants of this Province, and then and there 
to consult and determine what may be necessary to the 
general welfare of America and of this Province. 

" We at the same time take the liberty to inform you that 
there has been set on foot a subscription for the relief of the 
poor artizans and laborers of the town of Boston, precluded 
by one of the before-mentioned measures of the British 
Minister from following their respective occupations ; and 
we have reason to congratulate ourselves upon the generous 
contribution of the inhabitants which has put it in our 
power to load a vessel with provisions which will sail this 
week for the port of Salem. 

"We rely upon your sending an immediate answer to these 
our proposals, and, wishing you success in all your efforts 
for the support of the Constitutional liberties of America, 
permit us to subscribe om-selves," etc. 

Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Wilmington, N. C, 
to Ms friend in Boston, dated August 2, 1774: 

" As to public matters, I shall likewise please you when I 
inform you that a patriotic spirit possesses every bosom, 
which all ranks of persons seem emulous to express by ac- 
tions as well as words. Even those few from whom another 
conduct was expected, have surprised the world by a zeal for 
the service of their suffering brethren in Boston, and a 
liberality in contributing to their relief, which till this occa- 
sion gave them an opportunity of displaying, scarce anybody 
supposed them capable of. A subscri]^tion having been set 
on foot for the support of the Bostonians (suffering nobly 
in the common cause of America), a very few days, from a 
few individuals, produced as much as loaded the vessel by 
which this letter comes; and by this time, I have no doubt, 
enough is colleijted to load another. Nor is this all ; for there 
is apparent in almost every individual a proper sense of the 
injury done to the Colonies, in the tendency of those oppres- 
sive acts of Parliament, and a determined spirit of opposition 
and resentment worthy of a humane bosom in the great 
cause of liberty. 

"A numerous and respectable meeting of the six counties 
in the district of Wilmington has been had, and they have, 
without one dissenting voice, resolved upon pursuing every 
legal and rightful measure to aid and assist their sister- 
Colony of the Massachusetts Bay to the utmost of their 
power; and have sent expresses to every county in the Prov- 
ince, strictly recommending a subscription in each of them 



THE BIRTH OF TUB REPUBLIC. 299 

for the same purpose. A general meeting: of all the members 
of the Assembly is to be held in a lew days at Johnston 
Court-house, to elect Delegates to attend the general Con- 
gress at Philadelphia the first Monday in September." 

Extract of a letter received at Boston from Wilmington, 
N. C. , dated August 3, 1774 : 

" No sooner was a subscription put about for the relief of 
our suffering brethren in Boston than in a few days, I am 
told, two thousand poimds in currency was raised; and it is 
expected something very considerable will be contributed at 
Newborn and Edenton for the same noble purpose, as sub- 
scriptions are set on foot in every county in the Province. 

"You will a*eceive this by Mr. Parker Quince, who gener- 
ously made an offer of his vessel to carry a load of provisions 
to Boston, freight free; and wdiat redounds to the honor of 
the tars, the master and mariners navigate her without re- 
ceiving one farthing wages. It is supposed Lord North will 
hang himself with his rope of sand." 

PHvy Council at Neidbem. 

" At a Privy Council held at Newbem the 12th of August, 
1774, present: His Excellency the Governor, the honorable 
James Hasell, Lewis H. de Rossett, John Sampson, William 
Dry, and Sanuiel Cornell, Esqrs.,— his Excellency the Gov- 
ernor addressed the honorable members of this board as fol- 
lows : 

" ' Gentlebien of His Ma.jesty's Council: " I have heard 
with the greatest concern, and I have read in public news- 
papers and handbills, of invitations to the people in the 
several counties and towns of this Province to meet together 
to express tlicir sentiments on acts lately passed by the 
Parliament of Great Britain, and to appoint deputies to at- 
tend on their behalf (with powers obligatory of the future 
conduct of the mhabitants of this Province), at a meeting 
that I understand is to be held here on the 25th instant. 

" ' I also find that meetings of the freeholders and inhabi- 
tants have been accordingly already held in some places, at 
which resolves have been entered into derogatory to the 
dignity of his JMajesty and his Parliament, and tending to 
excite clamour and discontent among the King's subjects in 
this Province. 

"'Under these cii'cumstances, gentlemen, I consider it 
my indispensable duty to his Majesty and this country to 
advise with you the measures most proper to be taken to 
discourage or prevent these assemblies of the people, which 
are so inconsistent with the peace and good order of this 
government ; whose professed purposes will appear at least 
hiirhly indecent and have an evident tendency to draw his 
Majesty's disijleasure on this Pi-ovince, already laboring 



300 THE r.niTll OF THE EErUBLIG. 

under the most grievous and disgraceful circumstances for 
want of a just and effectual civil polity.' 

"The Council desired to take time maturely to consider 
the subject of tb.e above address till to-morrow morning. 
The (J.ivernor finding that during the absence of Mr. How- 
ard, the circumstances of tilings rendered the temporary 
aiipointnient of a Chief Justice necessary, recommended the 
Honourable Mr. llasell for such appointment, who was 
unaninituisly approved." 

" At a Privy Council held at Newbern, 13th August, 1774, 
present: His E.xcellency the Governor, the honorable James 
llasell, Lewis H. de Rossett, John Sampson, William Dry, 
and Banuiel Cornell, Esqi-s., 

" The members of the Council having maturely considered 
the matters laid before them yesterday by the Governor, 
unanimously concurred in advice to his Excellency, to issue 
a proclamation forthwith, to discourage and prevent the 
meetings and assemblies of the people of this Province men- 
tioned in the (iovei-nor's address of yesterday, and that they 
do not discern tliat any other measures can be j^roperly taken 
on the occasion at present." 

"XouTH Cakoijna. ss.: 

''By Ids Excellency Josiah Martin, Esquire, Captain, 
General, Governor, and Commander-in-chief in and over the 
said Province : 

" A Proclamation. 

" Whereas, It appears to me that meetings and assemblies 
of the inhabitants of this Province have been in some of the 
counties and towns thereof already held, and are in others 
ai)i>()intcd to be held, without any legal authority, and that 
resolves have been entered into and plans concerted (in 
such meetings as are passed) derogatory to his Majesty and 
the Parliimentof Great Britain; and that, there is reason to 
ajiprehend, the same inflammatory, disloyal, and indecent 
measures may be adopted in such future assemblies, incon- 
sisUMit with the peace and good order of this government, 
and tending to excite clamour and discontent among his 
Maiesty's subjects in this Province: I have th<uight fit, 
with the advice and consent of his Majesty's Council, to issue 
this proelaniation, to discourage as much as possible pro- 
ceedings so illegal and uiiAvarrantable in their nature, and 
in their effect so obviously injurious to the welfare of this 
country. 

"And to this end I do hereby strictly require and enjoin 
on their allegiance, all and every his Majesty's subjects, to 
forbe.ar to attend at any such illegal meetings, and that they 
do disehargn and prevent the same by all and every means 
in then- nower, and, more particularly, that they do forbear 
to attend and prevent, as tar as in them lies, the meeting of 



THE BIRTH OF THE REFUBLIG. 301 

certain deputies said to be appointed to be held at Newbem 
on the 25th instant. And I do more especially charge, re- 
quire, and command all and every his Majesty's justices of 
the peace, sheriffs, and other officers to be aiding and as- 
sisting herein to the utmost of their power. Given under 
my hand and the great seal of the said Province, at Newbern, 
the 13th day of August, 1774, and in the foiu-teenth of his 
Majesty's i*eign. 
" God save the King. Jo. Martin." 

"At a Council held at Newbern the 25th August, 1774, 
Present: His Excellency the Governor, the Honorable 
James Hasell, John Rutherford, Lewis H. de Eossett, John 
Sampson, William Dry. and Samuel Cornell, Esquires, — 

" The Governor signified to the board that this was the 
day appointed for the meeting, of certain persons called 
deputies, from the several counties and towns of the Prov- 
ince, at this place, and many of them were accordingly come 
to town; and desired the advice of the Council whether he 
could take any further measures than those he had taken 
pursuant to their advice on the 13th instant, when they were 
unanimously of opinion that no other steps could be properly 
taken at this conjuncture." 

North Carolina Convention. 

The Journal of the Proceedings of the first Provincial Con- 
vention of North Carolina, held at Newbern on the 24th day 
of August, A.D. 1774: 

"North Carolina, ss..- 

"At a general meeting of deputies of the inhabitants of 
this Province at Newbern, the 25th day of August, in the 
year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy- 
four : 

" Appeared for, — 

"Anson Co., Mr. Samuel Spencer, Wm.Thomas; Beaufort 
Co., Eoger Ormond, Thos. Respass, Jr.; Bladen Co., Wm. 
Salter, Walter Gibson; Bute Co., Wm. Person, Green Hill; 
Brunswick Co., Robert Howe; Bertie Co., John Campbell; 
Craven Co., James Coor, Lemuel Hatch, Joseph Leech, Rich- 
ard Cogdell ; Carteret Co. , William Thompson ; Currituck Co. , 
Sol. Perkins, Nathan Raynor, Samuel Jarvis ; Chowan Co., 
Sam'l Johnston, Thos. Oldham, Thos. Beubury, Thos. Jones, 
Thos. Hunter; Cumberland Co., Farquai^d Campbell. Thos. 
Rutherford; I)obbs Co., Richard Caswell, Wm. McKinnie, 
George Miller, Simon Bright; Duplin Co., Thos. Gray, Thos. 
Hicks, Jas. Kenan William Dickson; Granville Co., Thos. 
Person, Memucan Hunt; Hyde Co., Rothias Latham, Sam'l 
Smith; H Jifax Co., Nicholas Long, Willie Jones; Johnston 
Co., Needham Bryan, Benj. Williams; Mecklenburgh Co., 
Benj. Patton; Martin Co., Edmund Smythwick; New Han- 



302 THE BIRTU OF THE REPUBLIC. 

over Co Jobn Ashe, Wm. Hooper ; Northampton Co., Allen 
Tones- Oranj^e Co., Thomas Hart; Onslow Co., Wm. Gray; 
Perquimans Co., Jno. Harvey, Ccnj. Harvey, Andrew Knox, 
Thus Harvev Jno. Wheclbee, Jr. ; Pasquotank Co., Joseph 
Jones E.I. EVerigiu, Joseph Eeadinpr; Pitt Co., Jno. Simp- 
son Edward Salter; Rowan Co., Wm. Kennon, Moses Win- 
slow Sam'l Young; Tryon Co.. David Jenkins, Robt. Alex- 
ander- TvrrellCo., Joseph Spruill, Jere'm Eraser; Newbern- 
town Ahnor Nash, Isaac Edwards; Edentontown, Joseph 
Hewes- Wilmingtontown, Francis Clayton; for the town of 
Batli, Wm. Brown; for the town of Halifax, Jno. Geddy. 

"The deputies then proceeded to make choice of a mod- 
erator when Colonel John Harvey was unanimously chosen, 
and Mr. Andrew Knox appointed clerk. The meeting then 
adjourned till eight o'clock to-morrow morning. 

" Friday, August 26, 1774. 
" Tlie meeting met according to adjournment : 
"]\Ir. Hewes, one of the members of the Committee of 
Correspondence, presented several letters from the Commit- 
tees of Correspondence of the other Colonies in America, 
and the several answers thereto, which, on motion, were 
ordered to be read. And after the most mature deliberation 
had thereon,— 

" ' Resolved, That three Delegates be appointed to attend 
the genei-al Congress to be held at Philadelphia some time 
in September next.' 

"The meeting adjourned till eight o'clock to-morrow 
morning. 

" Satnnlay, August 27, 1774. 
"Tlie meeting met according to adjournment, and came 
to the following resolutions, to wit: 

" 'We, his Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the 
deputies from the several counties and towns of the Province 
of North Carolina, impressed with the most sacred respect 
for the British Constitution, and resolved to maintain the 
succession of the House of Hanover, as of law established, 
and avowing our inviolable and unshaken fidelity to our 
sovereign, and entertaining a sincere regard for our fellow- 
subjects in Great Britain, viewing wnth the utmost abhor- 
rence every attempt which may tend to disturb the peace 
and good order of this Colony, or to shake the fidelity of his 
Ma jesty]s subjects resident here ; but at the same time con- 
ceiving it a duty which we owe to ourselves and posterity, 
in the present alarming state of British America, when our 
most essential rights are invaded by«powers unwarrantably 
assumed by the Parliament of Great Britain, to declare our 
sentiments in the most public manner, lest silence should be 
construed as acquiescence, and that we patiently submit to 
the burthen which they have thought fit to impose upon us: 
" ' Resolved, That his Majesty Greorge the Third is lawful 



TUE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 303 

and rightful King of Great Britain, and the dominions there- 
unto belonging, and of this Province as part thereof, and 
that we do hear faithful and true allegiance inito him as our 
lawful sovereign ; that we will to the utmost of our power 
maintain and defend the succession of the House of Hanover, 
as by law establisiied, against the open or private attempts 
of any person or persons whatsoever. 

" 'Resolved, That we claim no more than the rights of 
Englishmen, without diminution or abridgment; that it is 
our indispensable duty, and will be our constant endeavor, 
to maintain those rights to the utmost of our power consist- 
ently with the loyality we owe our sovereign, and a sacred 
regard for tlie British Constitution. 

" 'Resolved, It is of the very essence of the British Con- 
stitution that no subject should be taxed but by his own 
consent, freely given by himself in person, or by his legal 
representatives; and that any other than such a taxation is 
highly derogatory to the rights of a subject and a gross vio- 
lation of the gi-and Charter of our liberties. 

" ' Resolved, That as the British subjects resident in North 
America have not, nor can have, any representation in the 
Parliament of Great Britain, therefore any act of Parlia- 
ment imposing a tax upon them is illegal and unconstitu- 
tional ; and that our Provincial Assemblies, the King, by his 
Governors, constituting one branch thereof, solely and ex- 
clusively possess that right. 

" 'Resolved, That the duties imposed by several acts of 
the British Parliament upon tea and other articles consumed 
in America, for the purpose of raising a revenue, are highly 
illegal and oppressive ; and that the late exj)ortation of tea 
by the East India Company to different parts of America 
was intended to give effect to one of the said acts and there- 
by establish a precedent highly dishonourable to America, 
and to obtain an implied assent to the powers, which Great 
Britain had unwarrantably assumed, of levying a tax upon 
us without our consent. 

"'Resolved, That the inhabitants of the Massachusetts 
Province have distinguished themselves in a manly support 
of the rights of America in general; and that the cause in 
which they now suffer is the cause of every honest Americaia 
who deserves the blessings which the Constitution holds 
forth to them ; that the grievances under which the town 
of Boston labors at present are the effect of a resentment 
levelled at them for having stood foremost in the opposition 
to measures which imist eventually have involved all British 
America in a state of abject dependence and servitude. 

"Resolved, The act of Parliament commonly called the 
Boston Port Act, as it tends to shut up the port of Boston, 
and thereby effectually destroy its trade and deprive the 
merchants and manufacturers of a subsistence which they 



n04 Tin-: DIRTII OF THE REPUBLIC. 

have liitherto procured by an honest industry ; as it takes 
away the wharfs, quays, and other property of many citi- 
zens by reiulciiiig it useless to them; and as the duration of 
this act depends upon circumstances founded merely in 
opinion, and in that nature indeterminate, and thereby may 
make the miseries it carries with it even perpetual,— there- 
fore, that it is the most cruel infringement of the rights and 
privileges of the people of Boston, both as men and members 
of tlie British Government. 

"Resolved, That the late act of Parliament for regulating 
the jioliee of that Province is an infringement of the Charter 
right granted them by their Majesties King William and 
Queen Mnry, and tends to lessen that sacred confidence 
-which ought to be placed in the acts of kings. 

" Resolved, That trial by jui-ies of the vicinity is the only 
lawful inquest that can pass upon the life of a British sub- 
ject; and that it is a right handed down to us from the 
earliest ages, confirmed and sanctified by Magna Charta 
itself, that no freemen shall be taken and imprisoned or dis- 
possessed of liis free tenement and liberties, or outlawed or 
banished, or in any wise hurt or injured, unless by the legal 
judgment of his peers, or by the law of the land; and there- 
lore all who suffer otherwise are not victims to public 
justice, but fall a sacrifice to the powers of tyranny and 
itiigh-handed oppression. 

" Resolved, That the bill for altering the administration of 
justice in certain criminal cases within the Province of 
Massachusetts Bay, as it empowers the Governors thereof 
to send to Great Britain for trial all persons who, in aid of his 
Majesty's oflicers, shall commit any capital offence, is fraught 
with the highest injustice and partialitj', and will tend" to 
produce frequent bloodshed of the inhabitants, as this act 
mrnishcs an opportunity to commit the most atrocious 
crimes, with the greatest probability of impunity. 

" Resolved, That we will not directly or indirectly, after 
the first day of January, 1775, import from Great Britain 
any East India goods or any merchandise whatever, medi- 
cines excepted; nor will we after that day import from the 
West Indies or elsewhere any East India or British goods or 
manufactures, nor will we purchase any such articles so 
imported of any person or persons whatsoever, except such 
as are now in the country or may arrive on or before the 
first day of January, 1775. 

Resol \q(\ , That unless American grievances are redressed 
before the fii-st day of October, 1775, we will not after that 
day directly or indirectly export tobacco, pitch, tar, turpen- 
tnie, or any other article whatever to Great Britain ; nor will 
we sell any such articles as we think can be exported to 
Great Britain with a prospect of gain to any person or per- 
sons whatsoever, with a design of putting it in his or their 



THE BIRTH OF THE BliPUBLIG. 305 

power to export the same to Great Britain, either on our 
own, his, or their account. 

" Resolved, That we will not import any slave or slaves, or 
pm'chase any slave or slaves imported or brought into this 
Province by others, from any part of the world after the first 
day of November next. 

" Resolved, That we wUl not use nor suffer East India tea 
to be used in our families after the tenth day of Sei^tember 
next ; and that we will consider all persons in this Province, 
not complying with this resolve, to be enemies to their 
country. 

"Resolved, That the venders of merchandise within this 
Province ought not to take advantage of the resolves relat- 
ing to non-importation in this Province or elsewhere : but 
ought to sell their goods and merchandise which they have, 
or may hereafter import, at the same rates they have been 
accustomed to sell them within three months last past. 

" Rqsolved, That the people of this Province will break off 
all trade, commerce, and dealing, and will not maintain any 
the least trade, dealing, or commercial intercourse, with any 
Colony on this continent, or with any city or town, or with 
any individual in such Colony, city, or town, which shall 
refuse, decline, or neglect to adopt and carry into execution 
such general plan as shall be agreed to in the Continental 
Congress. 

"Resolved, That we approve of the proposal of a general 
Congress to be held in the city of Philadelphia on the 20th 
of September next, then and there to deliberate upon the 
present state of British America, and to take such measures 
as they may deem prudent to effect the purpose of describ- 
ing with certainty the rights of Americans, repairing the 
breaches made in those rights, and for guarding them for 
the future from any such violations done under the same 
sanction of public authority. 

"Resolved, That Wilham Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and 
Richard Caswell, Esquires, and every of them, be deputies 
to attend such Congress ; and they are hereby invested with 
such powers as may make any act done by them or consent 
given in behalf of this Province, obligatory in honour upon 
every inhabitant thereof who is not alien to his country's 
good, and an apostate to the liberties of America. 

" Resolved, That they view the attempts made by the 
Ministry upon the town of Boston as a prelude to a general 
attack upon the rights of the other Colonies ; and that upon 
the success of this depends, in a great measure, the happiness 
of America in its px'esent race, and in posterity; and that 
therefore it becomes our duty to contribute, in proportion to 
our abilities, to ease the burthen imposed upon that town for 
their virtuous opposition to the revenue acts, that they 
may be enabled to persist in a prudent and manly opposition 



306 TIIH BIllTll OF THE JiEPUBLTG. 

to the scheraos of Parliament, and render its dangerous 
desifcns abortive. . ^ . . , ^ 

" Resolved, Tliat liberty is the spirit of the British Con- 
Btitution, and that it is the duty, and will be the endeavor, 
of us as British Americans, to transmit this happy Constitu- 
tion to our posterity in a state, if possible, better than we 
found it; and that to suffer it to underf:;o a change which 
may impair that invaluable blessing would be to disgrace 
those ancestors wlio, at the expense of their blood, purchased 
those privileges which their degenerate posterity are too 
weak or too wicked to mamtain inviolate. 

"Resolved, That at every future Provincial meeting, when 
any division shall happen, the method to be observed shall 
be to vote by the counties and towns (having a right to send 
members to Assembly) that shall be represented at every 
such meeting; and it is recommended to the deputies of tlie 
several counties that a committee of five persons be chosen 
for each county, by such persons as accede to this associa- 
tion, to take effectual care that these resolves be properly 
observed, and to correspond occasionally with the Provin- 
cial Committee of Correspondence of this Province. 

"R'solved, That each and every county in this Pi-ovince 
raise as speedily as possible the sum of twenty i>ounds 
Proclamation money, and pay the same into the hands of 
Richard Caswell, Esq., to be by him equally divided among 
the deputies appointed to attend the general Congress at 
Philadelphia, as a recompense for their trouble and expense 
in attenriing the said Congress. 

"Resolved, That the moderator of this meeting, and, in 
case of his death, Samuel Johnston, Esq., be empowered, on 
any future occasion that may in his opinion require it, to 
convene the several deputies of this Province, which now 
or hereafter shall be chosen, at such time and place as he 
shall think proper; and, in case of the death or absence of 
any deputy, it is recommended that another be chosen in 
his stead. 

"R<;solved, That the following be instructions for the 
deputies appointed to meet in general Congress on the part 
of this Colony, to wit: 

"That they express our sincere attachment to our most 
gracious sovereign. King George the Third, and our deter- 
mined resolution to support his lawful authority in the 
Province ; at the same time, that we cannot depart from a 
steady adlierence to the first law of nature— a firm and reso- 
lute defence of our jjersons and properties against all un- 
constitutional encroachments whatsoever. 

"That they assert our right to all the privileges of British 
subjects, particularly that of paying no taxes or duties but 
with our own consent; and that the legislature of thisProv- 



THE BIRTE OF TEE REPUBLIC. 307 

ince have the exclusive power of making laws to regulate 
our internal poHty, subject to his Majesty's disallowance. 

" That, should the British Parliament continue to exercise 
the power of levying taxes and duties on the Colonies, and 
making laws to biud them in all cases whatsover, such laws 
must be highly unconstitutional and oppressive to the in- 
habitants of British America, who have not, and from their 
local circumstances cannot, have a fail' and equal represen- 
tation in the British Parhament; and that these disadvan- 
tages must be greatly enhanced by the misrepresentation of 
designing men, inimical to the Colonies, the influence of 
whose reports cannot be guarded against by reason of the 
distance of America from them, or, as has been unhappily 
experienced in the case of the town of Boston, when the ears 
of the administration have been shut against every attempt 
to vindicate a people who claimed only the right of being 
heard in theii- own defence. 

"Tbat, therefore, until we obtain an explicit declaration 
and acknowledgment of our rights, we agree to stop all im- 
ports from Great Britain after the first day of January, 
1775 ; and that we will not export any of our commodities 
to Great Britain after the first day of October, 1775. 

• ' That they concur with the deputies or Delegates from 
the other Colonies in such regulations, addresses, or remon- 
strances as may be deemed most probable to restore a last- 
ing harmony and good understanding with Great Britain — a 
circumstance we most sincerely and ardently desu'e; and 
that they agi-ee with the majority of them in all necessary 
measures for promoting a redi'ess of such giievauces as may 
come under their consideration. 

•' ' Resolved, Tliat the thanks of this meeting be given to 
the Honorable John Harvey. Esq. . moderator, for his faith- 
ful exercises of that office and the seiwices he has thereby 
rendered to this Pro\duce and the friends of America in gen- 
eral.' John Harvey, Moderator."' 

Association Signed by Ladies of Edenton, N. C. 

"October 25, 1774. 

" As we cannot be indifferent on any occasion to that which 
appears to affect the peace and happiness of our country; and 
as it has been thought necessary, for the public good, to en- 
ter into several particular resolves by a meeting of numbers 
of deputies from the whole Province— it is a duty that we 
owe. not only to our near and dear relations and connec- 
tions, but to ourselves, who are essentially interested in 
their welfare, to do everytliing as far as hes in our power, 
to testify our sincere adherence to the same: and we do 
therefore accordingly subscribe this paper as a witness of 
oux fixed intention and solemn determination to do so." 

Signed by fifty-one ladies, 



:!()S TJIE BTRTII OF THE ItfJPUBLIO. 

On tlio advice of the Council, Governor Martin issued 
tlie followijig proclamation: 

" Whereas, I have received information that, in conse- 
quence of an advertisement, signed John Harvey, modera- 
t(U', some time siuco published and dispersed through tliis 
Province, simdry persons have b(>en elected by a small num- 
ber of freeholders in the several counties, to meet in conven- 
tion in the town of Newbern on this day for the choice of 
dejnities to represent this Colony in a Congress intended to be 
held at the city of Philadelphia, in the niontli of May next; 
and whereas. The meeting of such convention, and the de- 
clared pm-poso thereof, will be highly offensive to the 
King and dishonorable to the general Assembly of this Prov- 
ince, Aviuch is appointed to sit at this time for the dispatch 
of public; business: I have tlaereof thought fit, Avith the 
advice of his Majesty's Council, to issue this proclamation 
hereby in the King's name, to forbid the holding of the said 
convention. And I do exhort all his Majesty's subjects, on 
their allegiance, and on i)ain of incurring his Majesty's high 
displeasure, to witlidraw tliemselves from the game, and to 
desist from all such illegal, uuAvarrantable, and dangerous 
proceedings. 

"Given, etc., the 3d day of April, 1775. 

" God save the King. Jo. Martin," 

The convention met nevertheless, and was composed 
mainly of the members of the Assembly, which was to meet 
t\yo days later at the same place. Tlie following resolution 
of the Assembly led to its instant prorogation: 

"Resolved, That the House do highly approve of the pro- 
ceedings of the Continental Congress, lately held at Phila- 
delphia; and that they are determined, as members of the 
community in general, that they will strictly adliere to the 
said resolutions, and wUl use vfhat influence they have to 
induce the same observance in every individual of this 
Colony. 

"This House, having received information that William 
Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and Eichard Caswell, Esquires, 
Avere appointed, by the convention held at Newbern, as Del- 
egates to attend the meeting of the Continental Congress 
Boon to be held at Philadelphia,— 

" Resolved, That the House approve of the choice made by 
the Kvid convention. 

"Ros(.)lvec], That the thanks of the House be given to 
\\ ilhaiu Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and Richard Caswell, Es- 
qun-es, for the faithful and judicious discharge of the im- 
portant trust reposed in them as Delegates for this Colony at 
the late Continental Congress." 

/' .y ''iJ^'«"i.'icil held at the Council Chamber, the 7th of 
April, 1775, lu the evening, i^resent: His Excellency the 



TUE BIRTH OF TUB REPUBLIC. 300 

Governor, the Honorable James Hasell, John Eutherforcl, 
Lewis H. cle Rossett, Alexander McCulloch, Samuel Strud- 
wick, Martin Howard, Samuel Cornell, and Thomas Mc- 
Guire, Esquires; 

' ' His Excellency laid before the board the Journals of 
the House of Assembly, in which was contained, amongst 
other unw^arrantable proceedings, the following resolve: 

' ' ' Resolved, That the House do highly approve of the pro- 
ceedings of the Continental Congress, lately held at Philadel- 
phia, and that they are determined, as members of the com- 
munity in general, that they will strictly adhere to the said 
resolutions, and will use what influence they have to induce 
the same observance in every individual in this Colony.' 

"Upon consideration hereof, this board gave it as their 
opinion that the longer existence of such a House of Assem- 
bly is incompatible with the honor of the Crown and the 
safety of the people, and therefore unanimously advised his 
Excellency to dissolve them, which was done by the follow- 
ing proclamation : 

"'North Carolina. \ss.: 

" 'By his Excellency Josiali Martin, Esquire, etc. 
" ' A Proclamation. 

'"Whereas, Several resolves appear on the Journals of the 
House of Assembly, now sitting, tending to alienate the af- 
fections of his Majesty's subjects and subvert the Constitu- 
tion; and whereas. The longer existence of such an Assembly 
is incompatible with the safety of the people : I have there- 
fore thought fit, by ancV with the advice and consent of his 
Majesty's Council, to dissolve the said Assembly; and it is 
accordingly dissolved. 

" 'Given under my hand, etc., at Newbern, etc., this 8th 
day of Apinl, 1775, etc. 

" ' God save the King. Jo. Martin.' " 

The following proceedings took place in the convention: 

" Wednesday, April 5. 1775. 

" The convention met according to adjournment. 

' ' Mr. Jonathan Hearring, one of the Delegates for Pasquo- 
tank county, and Mr. David Stanley, one of the Delegates for 
Bertie county, appeared and took their seats in convention. 
The Association entered into by the general Congress at 
Philadelphia on the 20th day of October, in the year of our 
Lord 1774, and signed by the members thereof, was pre- 
sented to this convention by Colonel Richard Caswell, and, 
on motion, was ordered to be read, and was accordingly 
read. 

"Resolved, That this Convention do highly approve of 
the said Association, and di^ foi- themselves firmly agree to 
adhere to the said Association, and recommend it to their 



'MO THE BTRTII OF THE REPUBLIC. 

constituents that they likewise adhere firmly to the same. 
In full approbation and testimony whereof, the members 
of tliis Convention subscribe their names. 

James Harvey." 

"Friday, April 7, 1775. 

"The Convention met according to adjournment. 

" 'Resolved, That the moderator of this Convention, and, 
in ease of his death, Mr. Samuel Johnson, be empowered, on 
any future occ;ision that may in his opinion require it, to 
direct Delegates to be chosen for the respective counties and 
towns in this Province to meet in convention in the town 
of Hillsborough, at such time as he shall think proper to 
appoint; and in case that the members of the majority of 
the cDimties and towns do not appear at the day appointed, 
that he be empowered to adjourn the Convention de die in 
diem until a suificient number shall appear. 

" ' Resolved, Tliat the clerk furnish Mr. James Davis with 
a copy of the proceedings of this Convention, and that Mr. 
Davis print the same. 

"'Resolved, That this Convention do most heartily ap- 
prove of the conduct and proceedings of the late Continental 
Congress, and Avill endeavor to carry into execution the 
measures by them recommended ; and that the most earnest 
wishes and desires of this Convention are to see harmony 
restored between Gi'cat Britain and her Colonies on honor- 
able and Constitutional principles, which alone can give the 
same a lasting foundation; that we will exert our utmost 
endea vol's towords completing this important purpose, and 
are of opinion that the late commercial i-egidations are the 
most eligible means for attaining that desirable end. 

'" And whereas. The freedom, happiness, and pi'osperity 
of every state greatly depends on providing within itself ar- 
ticles necessary for subsistence, clothing, and defence of its 
inhabitants,— 

" 'Resolved. That from common prudence and regard for 
this Colony, we will encoin-age arts, manufactures, agri- 
culture, and every kind of economy, and use our influence 
for the same purpose with our constituents and all connected 
with us; and we recommend to the committees of the sev- 
eral counties to propose premiums to the inhabitants whose 
industry may bo a proper subject for their bounty, in such 
manner as to them shall seem meet. 

"'Resolved, That his Majesty's subjects have an un- 
doubted lifrht at any time to meet and petition the Throne 
for a redress of grievances, and that such right includes a 
further i-ight of appointing: Delegates for such purpose; and 
therefore that the Governor's proclamation issued to for- 
bid this meeting, and his proclamation afterwards com- 
manding this meeting to disperse, are illegal and an in- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 311 

fringement of our just rij^hts, and therefore ought to be dis- 
regarded as wanton and arbitrary exertions of power.' " 

Mechlenhtirg County. 

Mecklenburg county, North Carohna, is entitled to the 
imperishable honor of having, in May, 1775, taken a step in 
advance of all the Colonists, in setting up a governreent 
entirely independent of the British Crown and Parliament. 
The following resolves of the Committee of Safety of that 
county, while they constitute the charter of a new local 
government, at the same time enunciate principles which 
approximate independence more nearly than any similar 
manifestation that preceded them. It is proper to remark 
that these resolves are in no way involved in the contro- 
versy which has existed for seventy years, in regard to the 
genuineness of the Mecklenburg Declaration of May 20, 
1775 ; for the resolves of May 31st are still extant in several 
newspapers printed in 1775, north and south, and may be 
seen thus preserved in the Congress and other public li- 
braries. 

The " Declaration" of May 20th, is also given below, as it 
was first published in the Ealeigh Register, of April 30, 1819 : 

"(From the State Paper Oflice, London, Geo. Vol. 218.) 
" (G. Bancroft's Collection, 1775, page 107.) 

" Gov. Wright to Secretary of State. 

"Savannah, Georgia, 20th June, 177'5. 
" (In hif? own handwriting.) 
"By the enclosed paper your Lordship will see the extra- 
ordinary resolves by the people in Charlotte town, in Meck- 
lenburg county; and I should not be surprised if the same 
were done everywhere else. , 

"I have the honor to be, with perfect esteem, 
"My Lord, your Lordship's most 

" Obliged and obedient servant, 

"Jas. Wright. 

"To the Earl op Dartmouth." 

Extract from the Sojith Carolina Gazette and County 
Journal of June, 1775, No. 498, printed at Charlestown, by 
Charles Crouch on the Bay, corner of Elliott Street. [The 
first four and the 16th of these resolves were found by Mr. 
Peter Force in the New York Journal of July 1775, and the 
whole series were found, as above stated, by Mr. Bancroft, 
in the State Paper Office, in London] 

'^Chaelottetown, Mecklenburg County, ) 
May 31, 1775. ) 

"This day the Committee met and passed the following 
resolves : 

"'Whereas, By an address presented to his Majesty by 



312 THE BIliTll OF THE REPUBLIC. 

both Houses of Parliament in Fobruary last, the American 
Colonies are declared to l)e in a state of actual rebellion, we 
conceive that all laws and connnis^ions confirmed by or de- 
rived from the authority of the King and Parliament are 
annulled and vacated, and the former civil Constitution of 
tliese Colonics for the present wholly suspended. To pro- 
vide in some degree for the exigencies of this county in the 
present alarmuig period, we deem it proper and necessary 
to pass the following resolves, viz. : 

'- '1. That all commissions, civil and military, heretofore 
granted by the Crown to be exercised in these Colonies, are 
null and void, and the Constitution of each particular 
county wholly suspended. 

'•'2. That the Provincial Congress of each Province, 
under the direction of the great Continental Congress, is 
invested with all legislative and executive powers within 
their respective Provinces, and that no other legislative or 
executive power does or can exist at this time in any of 
these Colonies. 

" '3. As all former laws are now suspended in this Prov- 
ince, and the Congress has not yet provided others, we 
judge it necessary, for the better preservation of good order, 
to form certain rules and regulations for the internal gov- 
ernment of this county until laws shall be provided for 
us by tiic Congress. 

" '4. That the inhabitants of this county do meet on a 
certain day appointed by the committee, and, having formed 
themselves into nine companies (to wit, eight for the county 
and one for the town), do choose a colonel and other military 
officers who shall hold and exercise their several powers, by 
virtue of the choice, and independent of the Crown of Great 
Britain and f(nmer Constitution of this Province. 

"'5. That for the better preservation of the peace and 
administration of justice each, of those companies do choose 
from their own body two discreet freeholders, who shall be 
empowered, each by himself and singly, to decide and deter- 
mine all matters of controversy, ai-ising within said com- 
pany, imd<>r the sum of twenty shillings, and jointly and 
together all controversies under the sum of forty shillings; 
yet so as their decisions may admit of appeal to the Conven- 
tion of Select-men of the County, and also that any one of 
these men shall have power to examine and commit to con- 
finement persons accused of petit larceny. 

*' * 6. That those two select-men thus chosen do jointly 
and together choose from the body of their particular com- 
pany two persons to act as constables, who may assist them 
m the execution of their office. 

" '7. Tliat upon the complaint of anj' persons to either of 
these select-men, he do issue his warrant directed to the con- 



THE BIRTU OF THE REPUBLIO. 813 

stable, commanding him to bring the aggressor before him 
to answer said complaint. 

"'8. That these eighteen select-men thus appointed do 
meet every third Thursday in January, April, July, and 
October, at the Court-house in Charlotte, to hear and deter- 
mine all matters of controversy for sums exceeding forty 
shillings; also appeals; and in case of felony, to commit the 
persons convicted thereof to close confinement until the 
Provincial Congress shall provide and establish laws and 
modes of proceeding in ail such cases. 

" '9. That these eighteen select-men thus convened do 
choose a clerk to record the transactions of said convention 
and that said clerk, vipon the application of any person or 
persons aggrieved, do issue his Avarrant, to any of the con- 
stables of the company to which the offender belongs, di- 
recting said constable to summon and warn said offender to 
appear before said convention at their next sitting, to answer 
the aforesaid complaint. 

'"10. That any person making complaint, upon oath to the 
clerk or any member of the convention, that he has reason 
to suspect that any person or persons, indebted to him in a 
sum above forty shillings, intend clandestinely to withdraw 
from the county without paying the debt, the clerk or such 
member shall issue his warrant to the constable, command- 
ing him to take said person or pei'sons into safe custody until 
the next sitting of the convention. 

" ' 11. That when a debtor for a sum above forty shillings 
shall abscond and leave the country, the warrant granted as 
aforesaid shall extend to any goods or chattels of said debtor 
as may be found; and such goods or chattels be seized and 
held in custody by the constable for the space of thirty days ; 
in which time, if the debtor fail to return and discharge the 
debt, the constable shall return the warrant to one of the 
select-men of the company where the goods are found, who 
shall issue orders to the constable to sell such a part of said 
goods as shall amount to the sum due. That when the debt 
exceeds forty shillings, the return shall be made to the con- 
vention, who shall issue ordei's for sale. 

" '12. That all receivers and collectors'of quit rents, public 
and county taxes, do pay the same into the hands of the 
chairman of this committee to be by them disbursed as the 
public exigencies may require; and that such receivers and 
collectors proceed no further in their office until they be ap- 
proved of by and have given to this committee good and 
sufficient security for a faithful return of such moneys when 
collected. 

" ' 13. That the committee be accountable to the county for 
the application of all moneys received from puch public of- 
ficers. 



814 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

" ' 14. That all these officers hold their commissions during 
the iileasure of tlieir several constituents. 

" • 1;-). Tliat this committee will sustain all damages to all or 
any of their officers thus appointed and thus acting on 
account of their ohedience and conformity to these rules. 

" ' 16. That whatever person shall hereafter receive a com- 
mission from the Crown, or attempt to exercise any such 
commission heretofore received, shall be deemed an enemy 
to his country; and upon confirmation being made to the 
captain of the company in which he resides, the said com- 
pany shall cause him to be apprehended and conveyed before 
two select-men, who, upon proof of the fact, shall commit 
said offender to safe custody until the next sitting of the com- 
mittee, who sh;dl deal with him as prudence may direct. 

" ' 17. That any person i-efusing to yield obedience to the 
above rules, shalfbe considered equally criminal, and liable to 
the same ])unishment as the offenders above last mentioned. 

" ' 18. That these resolves be in full force and virtue until 
instructions from the Provincial Congi'ess regulating the 
jurisprudence of the Province shall provide otherwise, or 
the legislative body of Great Bz'itain resign its unjust and 
arbitrary pretensions with respect to America. 

" ' 11). That the eight militia companies in this county "pro- 
vide themselves with proper arms and accoutrements, and 
hold tliemselves in readiness to execute the commands and 
direct ioiis of the general Congress of this Province and this 
committee. 

" "20. That the committee appoint Col. Thomas Polk and 
Dr. Joseph Kennedy to purchase 300 pounds of powdei', 600 
pounds of lead, 1000 flints, for the use of the militia of this 
county, and deposit the same in such place as the committee 
hereafter may direct.' 

" Signed, by order of the committee, 

"Eph. Brevard, 
" Clerk of the Committee. 

Extract from the Proclamation of Governor Martin. 
Dated, August the 8th, 1774. 
" NouTii Cauoi.ina, .s,s.: 

''By his Excellency Josiah Martin, Esq., his Majesty's 
Cajitain, General, Governoi-, and Commander-in-chief in and 
over the said Province: 

" And whereas, 1 have also seen a most infamous publica- 
tion ill the Cape Fear Mercury, importing to be resolves of a 
set of people styling themselves a Committee for the County 
of Mecklenburg, most ti-aitorously declaring the entire disso- 
lution of the laws, government, and Constitution of this 
county, ;Hid setting up a system of rule and regulation re- 
I>ugnant to the laws and "subversive of his Majesty's gov- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 315 

ernment; and another publication in the Cape Fear Mercury 
of the fourteenth of last month, addressed, ' To the Commit- 
tees of the Several Towns and Counties of North Carolina, 
Appointed for the Purpose of Carrying into Execution the Ee- 
solves of the Continental Congress,' bearing date at Philadel- 
phia, June 19th, 1775, and signed William Hooper, Joseph 
Hewes, and Richard Caswell, the preposterous enoi-mity of 
which cannot be adequately described and abhorred. " 

The MecMenhurg Declaration of Independence. 

The following is the "Mecklenburg Declaration of Inde- 
pendence," the genuineness of which has given rise to much 
controversy. It was first published, April 30, 1819, as will 
be seen from the Raleigh Register of that date: 

" It is not probably known to many of our readers " says 
i\xe Register, " that the citizens of Mecklenburg county, in 
this State, made a Declaration of Independence more than a 
year before Congress made theirs. The following document 
on the subject has lately come to the hands of the editor 
from unquestionable authority, and is published that it may 
go down to posterity : 

" ' North Carolina, Mecklenburg County, May 20, 1775. 

" ' In the spring of 1775, the leading characters of Mecklen- 
burg county, stimulated by that enthusiastic patriotism 
which elevates the mind above considerations of individual 
aggrandizement, and scorning to shelter themselves from 
the impending storm by submission to lawless power, etc., 
etc., held several detached meetings, in each of which the 
individual sentiments were " that the cause of Boston was 
the cause of all ; that their destinies were indissolubly con- 
nected with those of their eastern fellow-citizens; and that 
they must either submit to all the impositions which an 
unprincipled and, to them, an unrepresented Parliament 
might impose ; or support their brethren who were doomed 
to sustain the first shock of that power, which, if success- 
ful there, would ultimately overwhelm all in the common 
calamity." Conformably to these principles, Colonel Adam 
Alexander, through solicitation, issued an order to each 
captain's company in the county of Mecklenburg, (then 
comprising the presetit county of Cabarrus), directing each 
militia company to elect two pei'sons and delegate to them 
ample power to devise ways and means to aid and assist 
their sufl'ering brethren in Boston, and also generally to 
adopt measures to extricate themselves from the impending 
storm, and to secure unimpaired, their inalienable rights, 
privileges, and liberties from the dominant grasp of British 
imposition and tyranny. 

" 'In conformity to said order, on the 19th of May, 1775, 
the said delegation met in Charlotte, vested with unlimited 



31 C ■ THE niRTlI OF THE HEPUBLIO. 

powei-s; at waich time official news by express arrived of 
the battle of TA'xin?:ton on that day of the preceding month. 

"•Every Delegate felt the value and importance of the 
prize and" the awful and solemn crisis which had arrived; 
every bosom swelled with indignation at the malice, invet- 
eracy, and insatiable revenge developed in the late attack 
at Lexington. The universal sentiment was: Let us not 
flatter ourselves that popular harangues or resolves, that 
popular vapor, will avert the storm or vanquish our common 
enemy; let us deliberate; let us calculate the issue, the 
probable result; and then let us act with energy as brethren 
leagued to preserve our pi-operty, our lives, and, what is 
stdl more endearing, the liberties of America. Abraham 
Alexander was then elected chaii-man, and John McKnitt 
Alexander, clerk. After a free and full discussion of the 
various objects for which the delegation had been convened, 
it was unanimously ordained : 

'"1. Resolved, That whoever directly or indirectly abetted 
or in any way, form, or manner countenanced the unchar- 
tered and dangerous invasion of our rights as claimed by 
Great Britain, is an enemy to this country, to America, and 
to the inhei-ent and unalienable rights of man. 

" ' 2. Resolved, That we, the citizens of the Mecklenburg 
county, do hereby dissolve the political bands which have 
connected tis to the mother-countiy, and hereby absolve 
ourselves from all allegiance to the British Crown, and 
ahjui'c all i)()litical connection contract, or association with 
that nation who liave wantonly trampled on our rights and 
liberties, and inhumanly shed the innocent blood of Ameri- 
can patriots at Lexington. 

"';}. Resolved, That we do hereby declare ourselves a 
free and independent people, are and of right ought to be a 
sovereign and self-govei*ning association, under the control 
of no power other than that of our God and the general 
government of the Congress; to the maintainance of which 
indei)endence we solemnly pledge to each other our nmtual 
co-operation, our lives, our fortmies, and our most sacred 
honor. 

" ' 4. Resolved, That as we now acknowledge the exist- 
ence and control of no law or legal officer, civil or military, 
within this coimty, we do hereby ordain and adopt, as a 
rule (jf life, all, eae'li and every of our former laws; w-herein, 
nevertheless, the Crown of Great Britain never can be con- 
sidered a.s holding rights, privileges, immunities, or author- 
ity therein. 

" ' 5. Resolved, That it is also further decreed that all, 
each, and every military officer in this county is hereby re- 
instated to liis foi'iner command and authority, he acting 
coniformably to these regulations; and that every member 
present of this delegation shall henceforth be a civil officer, 



THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIG. 317 

viz., a justice of the peace, in the character of a "commit- 
teeuian," to issue process, hear and detei-mine all matters of 
controversy according to said adopted laws, and to preserve 
peace and union and harmony in said county ; and to use 
every exertion to spread the love of country and fire of 
freedom throughout America, until a more general and 
organized government be established in this Province." 

Newhern {N. C.) Committee. 

" In Committee, | 
Aug. 5, 1775. I' 

" From the late conduct of Governor Martin at Fort John- 
ston, and intelligence since received by this committee, it 
appears he intends erecting a king's standard, and com- 
mencing hostilities against the people of this Province. 

"It is therefore resolved, That no person or persons 
whatsoever have any correspondence with him, either by 
personal communication or letter, on pain of being deemed 
enemies to the liberties of America, and dealt with accord- 
ingly. 

" And that no person or persons presume to remove him 
or themselves from hence to Core Sound, or any other part 
of the Province, where the Governor resides, without leave 
of this committee, as he or they will not be suffered to re- 
turn here. 

"By order, R. Cogdell, Chairman.'''' 

Try on County (N. C.) Association. 

" AuRiist 14, 177.5. 

"The unprecedented, barbarous, and bloody actions com- 
mitted by the British troo]5S on our American brethren, 
near Boston on the 19th of April and 20th of May last, 
together with the hostile operations and treacherous designs 
now cai'rying on by the tools of Ministerial vengeance and 
despotism for the subjugating all British America, suggest 
to lis the painful necessity of having recourse to arms for 
the pi-eservation of those rights and liberties which the 
principles of the Constitution and the laws of God, nature, 
and nations have made it our duty to defend. 

"We therefore, the subscribers, freeholders and inhabi- 
tants of Tryon county, do hereby faithfully unite ourselves 
under the most sacred ties of religion, honor, and love to 
our country, firmly to resist force by force, in defence of our 
natural freedom and Constitutional rights against all inva- 
sions; and at the some time do solemnly engage to take up 
arms and risk our lives and fortunes in maintaining the 
freedom of our country whenever the wisdom and counsel 
of the Continental Congress or our Provincial Convention 
shall declare it necessary ; and this engagement we will con- 



818 THE BIRTU OF TUB BEPUBLIG. 

tiiiuc iu and hdld sacred till a reconciliation shall take place 
between Great Britain and America on Constitutional prin- 
ciples, Avliich we most ardently desii'e, and we do firmly 
agree to hold nil such persons inimical to the liberties of 
America who shall refuse to subscribe to this Association." 
Signed by forty -eight names. 

Neicbern {N. C.) Committee. 

" Committee Chamber, ) 
Nkwbern, August 14, 1775. j 

" Whereas, All those who have not subscribed the Articles 
of Association have sufficiently testified to the public that 
they are enemies to the liberties of America; and as the 
principles of self-preservation make it absolutely necessary 
that thoy sliould be deprived of their arms: therefore it is 

' ' Ordered , Tliat the captains of the several companies in this 
county and town require, of all such suspected persons, as 
well their fire-arms, as swords, cutlasses, etc., etc., and all 
giuipowder. lead, and other military stores; and that the 
said several captains bo empowered to give receipt for all 
such guns, etc., etc., and deliver them out to such persons 
<»f liis or their comj)any not having arms, etc., etc., as may 
be willing to serve in the American cause. 

''By order, R. Cogdell, Chairman.^'' 

The Congress at Hillsborough. 

Tlio Provincial Congress met again at Hillsborough, on 
the 21st August, pursuant to a call by Samuel Johnston, 
as provided tov at its first sitting at Newbern in April. On 
"Wednesday, the 23d August, the following proceedings took 
place. The Association entered into by the General Con- 
pi-ess at Philadelphia, on the 20th day of October, 1774, and 
signed by the members thereof, Avas read: 

"Resolved, That this Congress do highly approve of the 
said Association, and do for themselves firmly agree and 
promise to adhere thei-eto, and do recommend it to thpir 
constituents that they likewise adhere firmly thereto.' 

The Committee was directed to prepare and bring in a 
test for the members of the Congress to sign, reported that 
they had prepared a test, which they begged leave to lay 
bef'ji-e the Congress for approbation. 

" Ordered, The same be read ; which was accordingly read, 
approved of, and ordered to be entered on the Journals and 
signed." 

It is as follows: 
,,."^^^'' the subscribers, professing our allegiance to the 
JvniK. and acknowledging th" constitutional executive pow- 
er ..f government, do solemnly profess, testify, and declare 
that we do absolutely believe that neither the Parhamcnt of 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIG. 319 

Great Britain, nor any member or constituent branch there- 
of, have a right to impose taxes upon these Colonies, or to 
regulate the internal police thereot"; and that all attempts 
by fraud or force to establish and exercise such claims and 
powers are violations oC the peace and security of the peo- 
ple, and ought to be resisted to the utmost: and that the 
people of this Pi-ovince, singly and collectively, are bound 
Isy the acts and resolutions of the Continental and Provin- 
cial Congresses; becavise in both they are freely represented 
by persons chosen by themselves; and we do solemnly and 
sincerely promise and engage, under the sanction of virtue, 
honour, and the sacred love of liberty and our country, to 
maintain and siipport all and every the acts, resolutions, 
and regulatious of the said Continental and Provincial Con- 
gresses to the utmost of our power and abilities. In testi- 
mony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 33d of 
August, 1775." 

Committees of Wilmington District^ North Carolina. 

"At a general meeting of the several committees of the 
district of Wilminf^ton, held at the Court-house in Wilming- 
ton, Tuesday, the 20th June, 1775, — 

" 'Resolved, That the following association stand as the 
association of this committee, and that it be recommended 
to the inhabitants of this district to sign the same as speed- 
ily as possible : 

" ' "The Association. 

" ' "The actual commencement of hostilities against the 
continent by the British troops in the bloody scene on the 
19th of April last near Boston, the increase of arbitrary 
impositions from a wicked and despotic Ministry, and the 
dread of instigated insurrections in the Colonies are causes 
sufficient to drive an oppressed people to the use of arms : 
We, therefore, the subscribers, of Cumberland county, hold- 
ing ourselves bound by that most sacred of all obligations, 
the duty of good citizens towards an injured country, and 
thoroughly convinced that under our distressed circum- 
stances we shall be justified before you in resisting force by 
force, do unite ourselves under every tie of religion and 
honour, and associate as a band in her defence against every 
foe; hereby solemnly engaging that whenever our Conti- 
nental or Provincial Councils shall decree it necessary, we 
will go forth and be ready to sacrifice our lives and fortunes 
to secure her freedom and safety. 

" ' "This obligation to continue and be in full force until 
a reconciliation shall take place between Great Britnin and 
America upon Constitutional principles— an event we most 
ardently desire. And we will hold all those persons inim- 
ical to the liberty of the Colonies who shall refuse to sub- 



320 THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIO. 

scribe to this Association ; and we will in all things follow 
the advice of our general committee respecting the purposes 
aforesaid, the ])reservation of peace and good order, and 
the safety of individual and private property." ' " 

"NoKTU Carolina Provincial Congress, ) 
"Friday, April 12, 1776. j 

"The select committee to take into consideration the usur- 
pations and violences attempted and committed by the King 
and Parliament of Great Britain against America, and the 
further measures to be taken for frustrating the same, and 
for the better defence of this Province, reported as follows, 
to wit: 

" ' It appears to your committee that, pursuant to the plan 
conci'rted by the British Ministry for subjugating America, 
the King and Parliament of Great Britain have usurped a 
power over the persons and, properties of the people unlim- 
ited and uncontrolled, and disregarding their humble peti- 
tions for peace, liberty, and safety, have made divers legis- 
lative acts denouncing war, famine, and every species of 
calamity against the continent in general; that British fleets 
and armies have been and still are employed in destroying 
our people and committing the most horrid devastations 
on the country; that Governors in different Colonies have 
declared pi*t )tection to sla\'es who should imbrue their hands 
in the blood of their masters; that the ships belonging to 
America are declared prizes of war, and many of them have 
been violently seized and confiscated. In consequence of 
which, multitudes of the people have been destroyed, or, 
from easy circinnstances, reduced to the most lamentable 
distress. And whereas. The moderation hitherto manifested 
by the united Colonies, and their sincere desire to be recon- 
ciled to the mother-country on Constitutional principles, 
have i)rocured no mitigation of the aforesaid Avrongs and 
usurpations, and that no hopes remain of obtaining redress 
by those means alone which have bocui hitherto tried, your 
committees are of opinion that the House should enter into 
the following resolve, to wit: 

'"Resolved, That the Delegates for this Colony in the 
Continental Congress be em]iowered to concur with the Del- 
egjitcs of the other Colonies in declaring independency and 
forming foreign alUances, reserving to this Colony the sole 
and exclusive right of forming a constitution and laws for 
this Colony, and of appointing Delegates from time to time 
(under the direction of a general i-epresentation thereof) to 
me«'t the Delegates of the other Colonies for such purposes 
as^shall bo hereafter pointed out.' 

'The Congress, taking the same'into consideration, unan- 
imously concurred therewith." 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLW. 321 

CHAPTER. VI. 

SOUTH CAROLINA. 

It has been elsewhere shown that South Carolina was 
among the foremost Colonies to oppose the Stamp Act, and 
that her treatment of the stamp-distributors was not more 
ceremonious than the similar officers in more noi'thern Col- 
onies had met with. She was no less prompt in seconding 
the determined opposition of Massachusetts to the tax on 
tea and other articles. " As for South Carolina," saj's Ban- 
croft, "they could not enough praise the glorious ninety- 
two who would not rescind ; toasting them at banquets, and 
marching by night through the streets of Charleston in 
processions to their honor, by the blaze of two and ninety 
torches." Tliis refers to the vote of the Massachusetts 
Assembly in Jvuie, 1768, in refusing, at the command of the 
King, to rescind theii- former resolutions against the right 
of Parliamentary taxation. 

The Earl of Hillsborough, Secretary for the Colonies, by 
instruction from the King, wrote letters to the Colonies in 
November, 1768, inclosing the addresses of the two Houses 
of Parliaiiient to his Majesty, and assuring them that the 
King would not listen to "the views of wicked men" who 
questioned the supreme authority ot tha,t body. 

"While Hillsborough was setting his name to these 
papers," says Bancroft, "Montague, the Governor of South 
Carohna, invited its Assembly to treat the letters of Massa- 
chusetts and Virginia with the contempt they deserved." A 
committee composed of Parsons, Gadsden, Pinckney, Lloyd, 
Lynch, Laurens, Rutlcdge, Elliott, and Dart reported them 
to be "founded upon undeniable Constitutional principles;" 
and the House sitting with its doors locked, unanimously 
directed its speaker to signify to both Provinces its entire 
approbation. Provoked at what he had no means to pre- 
vent, the Governor, that same evening, dissolved the Assem- 
bly by beat of drum ; while the general toast at Charleston 
remained, "The unanimous twenty -six who would not re- 
scind from the Massachusetts circular." 

South Carolina refused compliance with the Billeting Act, 
di]-ecting the Colonial legislatures to make specific contri- 
butions towards the support of the army. Her people also 
enforced the non-importation agreement by publishing the 
names of the few enemies to America who kept aloof from 
the Association, 

In December, 1773, a ship arrived at Charleston with two 
hundred and fifty -seven chests of tea. " The spirit of oppo- 



32:2 THE BIRTH OF TUE REFUBLIC. 

sitiou ran very high, but the consignees were persuaded to 
ivsign ; so that the collector, after the twentieth day. seized 
the dutiable article, there being no one to vend it or to pay 
the duty, and it perished in the cellars where it was stored." 
— Bancroft, vol. 6. 

A General Meeting Called: 

" Charlestowx, S. C, Jtme 13, 1774. 
" At a meeting of the Greneral Committee this day, it was 
xmanimoaslv agreed. That a general meeting of the inhab- 
itants of tliis Colony be called on Wednesday the 6th of 
July next, at eight oclock in the morning, at the Exchange 
in Llaarleston, to consider of the papers, letters, and resolu- 
tions transmitted to the committee fi'om the northern Col- 
onies; and also of such steps as are necessary to be pui-sued 
in union with the inhabitants of all our sister-Colonies on 
this continent in order to avert the dangers impending over 
American liberties in general by the late hostile act of Par- 
liament agahist Boston, and other arbitrary measures of the 
British Ministry; and that public notice thereof be imme- 
diately given in the gazettes."' 

Extract of a Letter to a Gentleman in New YorT:. 

'• CnARLESTovrs", S. C, 13th June, 177-L 

"Circular-letters are dispatched by express to all the 
most leading men througliout this Colony in order to re- 
move some jealousies which have been industriously excited 
to acquaint them with the present dangerous situation of 
every American and his posterity, and to encage their 
union, assistance, and influence in their several districts, to 
attend eitheir personally or by deputies authoiized, to de- 
clare their sentiments at a general meeting of Delegates 
from every part of the Colony, to be held at Cha^lesto^vn, 
the 6th of July next. 

"Even the merchants now seem generally inclined to a 
non-importation. How much further we shall g:o will de- 
p<?nd upon the expected advices from the other Colonies, and 
the spirit and vigor with which they act."' 

Extract of a Letter Received in New Yoi^k. 

" CnABLESTOwx, S. C, July 8, 1774. 
" On the eth instant, according to proper notices dispersed 
all overtbeProviace, began at Charlestown our general meet- 
ing of Delegates from ail the counties, for agreeing upon 
general resolutions, and for the appointment of deputies to 
represent and act for us at the general Congi-ess. This 
meeting was perhaps one of the most respectable ever held 
in -^"lerica, and continued with verv little intermission till 
this afternoon when the business was concluded with the 



THE BIRTn OF THE REPUBLW. 323 

enclosed resolutions. Do not be surprised at not seeing any 
non-importation or -exportation resolves. We had such, but 
gave them up to succeed in the allowing full powers to our 
deputies, which was gaining a grand point. They were 
chosen by ballot, which kept us up till after midnight. 

" At this election the merchants appeared with us for the 
first time, but miscarried in their choice. The voters' 
names were all taken down. They have, by voting in the 
appointment of deputies so fully empowered, acceded to 
non-impoi'tation or -expoi-tation, if the Congress should 
adopt those measures. The people, nevertheless, were so 
uneasy for agreements to be entered into, that it was at 
last declared, on the part of the trade, that they would (of 
their own motion) countermand their orders, and would not 
import while the present troubles continue. 

" Captain Hunt has behaved so exceedingly clever upon 
the present occasion by staying three days for the result of 
our meeting and for our letters, that he has tliis day received 
public thanks in our full meeting. His stay has given me 
this opportunity of subscribing myself," etc. 

Resolutions of the General Meeting. 

Resolutions unanimously entered into by the inhabitants 
of South Carolina at a general meeting held at Charlestown, 
in said Colony, on Wednesday, Tliursday, and Friday, the 
6th, 7th, and 8th days of July, 1774: 

"Eesolved, That his Majesty's subjects in North America 
owe the same allecciance to the Crown of Great Britain that 
is due from his subjects bom in Great Britain. 

"Resolved, That his ]\Iajesty's subjects in America are 
entitled to all the inherent rights and Uberties of his natural- 
born subjects within the Kingdom of Great Britain. 

" Resolved, That it is repugnant to the rights of the peo- 
ple that any taxes should be imposed on them unless with 
their own consent, given personally or by their representa- 
tives. 

" Resolved, That it is a fundamental right which his Maj- 
esty's liege subjects are entitled to, that no man should 
suffer in his person or property without a fair trial and 
judgment given by his peers, or by the laws of the land. 

"Resolved, That all trials of treason, misprision of trea- 
son, or for any felony or crime whatever committed, or done 
in this his Majesty's Colony, by any person or persons re- 
sidiag therein, ought of right to be had and conducted in his 
Majesty's courts held within the said Colony, according to 
the fixed and known course of pi"oceeding; and that the 
seizing any person or persons residing in this Colony, sus- 
pected of any crime whatever committed tlierein, and send- 
ing such person or persons to places beyond the sea to be 
tried, is oppressive and illegal and highly derogatory to the 



324 THE BIETII OF THE ItErUBLIC. 

ri<^lits of British subjects, as thereby the inestimable priv- 
ilcges of being tried by a jury from the vicinage, as well as 
the benefit of summoning and procuring witnesses on such 
trial will be taken away from the party accused. 

"Resolved, That the statute made in the thirty-fifth year 
of nenry the Eighth, chapter two, entitled ' An Act for the 
Trial of Treasons Committed out of the King's Dominions,' 
does not extend and cannot, but by an arbitrary and cruel 
construction, be construed to extend to treasons, misprisions 
of treasons, or concealment of treasons committed in any 
of his Majesty's American Colonies, where there is sufficient 
provision by the law of the land for the impartial trial of all 
such persons as are charged with, and for the due punish- 
ment of, those offences. 

"Resolved, That the late act for shutting up the port of 
Boston, and the two bills relative to Boston wiiich by the 
last accounts from Great Britain had been brought into Par- 
liament, there read and committed, are of the most alarm- 
ing nature to all his Majesty's subjects in America; are cal- 
culated to deprive many thousand Americans of their rights, 
pi-oi)erties, and privileges in a most cruel, oppressive, and 
unconstitutional manner; are the most dangerous prece- 
dents: and, thougli levelled immediately at the people of 
Boston, very manifestly and glaringly show if the inhab- 
itants of that town are intimidated into a mean submission 
to said acts, that the like are designed for all the Colonies; 
when not even the shadow of Uberty to his person or secur- 
ity of his property will be left to any of his subjects residing 
on the American continent. 

"Resolved therefore, That not only the dictates of hu- 
manity, but the soundest principles of true policy and self- 
preservation, make it absolutely necessary for the inhabi- 
tants of nil the Colonics in America to assist and support the 
people of Boston by all lawful ways in their power, and 
especially to leave no justifiable means untried to pi'ocure a 
repeal of those acts immediately relating to them; also all 
others alTecting the Constitutional rights and liberties of 
America in general, as the best means to effect this desirable 
end. 

"Resolved, That Hemy Middleton, John Rutledge, Chris- 
topher Gadsden. Thomas Lynch, and Edward Rutledge, 
Esquires, be and they are hereby nominated and appointed 
dei>uti(>s, on the part and behalf of this Colony, to meet the 
dei)ulit's of the several Colonies of North America in gen- 
eral C(jngre8s, the first Monday of September next, at Phila- 
delphia, or at any other place or time that may be generally 
agi-eed upon : tliere to consider the act lately passed and 
bills depending in Parliament with regard to the port of 
Boston and Province of ]\Iassachusetts Bay, which act and 
bills in the precedent and consequences affect the whole 



TEE BIRTH OF TEE REPUBLIC. 395 

continent ; also the grievances under which America labors 
by reason of the several acts of Parliament that impose 
taxes or duties for raising a revenue and lay unnecessary re- 
straints and burthens on trade, and of the statutes, Parlia- 
mentary acts, and royal instructions which make any in- 
vidious distinctions between his Majesty's subjects in Great 
Britain and America;— with full power and authority, in be- 
half of us and our constituents, to concert, agree to, and ef- 
fectually prosecute such legal measures (by which we for 
ourselves and them most solemnly engage to abide) as in the 
opinion of the said deputies and of the deputies so to be as- 
sembled shall be most likely to obtain a repeal of the said 
acts and a redress of those grievances. 

"Resolved, That we will agree to pay the expenses of 
those gentlemen who may be fixed upon to be sent upon this 
business. 

" Resolved, That, while the oppressive acts relative to Bos- 
ton are enforced, we will cheerfully, from time to time, con- 
tribute towards the relief of such poor persons there whose 
vmfortunate circumstances occasioned by the operation of 
those acts may be thought to stand in need of most assist- 
ance. 

"Resolved, That we will by all means in oiu- power en- 
deavor to preserve harmony and union amongst all the Col- 
onies. 

"Resolved, That a committee of ninety-nine persons be 
now appointed to act as a general committee to correspond 
with the committees of the other Colonies, and do all mat- 
ters and things necessary to carry these resolutions into 
execution ; and that any twenty-one of them together may 
proceed to business — their power to continue till the next 
general meeting ; and in case of the death, departure from 
the Province, or refusal to act, of any or cither of them, the 
parish or district from which such person dying, removing, or 
refusing to act was chosen, shall fill up the vacancy." 

Extract of a letter received in Boston, dated Charlestown, 
S. C, July 11, 1774: 

"In consequence of the advertisements lately published 
by the general committee, and other proper means used to 
obtain the sense of the whole Colony on the present alarming 
state of American affairs, on "Wednesday last, the 6th in- 
stant, the largest body of the most respectable inhabitants 
that has ever been seen together upon any public occasion 
here, or perhaps anywhere in America (for gentlemen of the 
greatest property and character, animated with an ardent 
zeal to relieve their suffering brethren, and to preserve their 
own freedom and the birthrights of their posterity, not- 
withstanding the extreme inconvenience of the season, from 
even the remotest parts of the country attended), met at the 
Exchange in this town in order to consider of the papers, 



326 THE BIBTII OF THE EE PUBLIC. 

letters and resolutions iliat had been transmitted to the 
said committee from the northern Colonies ; and also of the 
steps necessary to be pursued in the union with the inhabi- 
tants of our sister Colonies on this continent, to avert tlie 
d-in"-ers impending over American liberties in general, by 
the Tate hostile act of Parhament against Boston, and other 
arbitrary measures of the British Mnistiy." 

Another Account 

from Drayton, the historian: 

"The 0th day of July now arrived, and Charlestown was 
filled with peojjle from the country. One hundred and four 
deputies represented all parts of the Colony, except Green- 
ville county, St. John's Colleton county, and Christ Church 
parish. These districts sent no deputies. And m behalf of 
Chariestown, the general committee joined the deputies from 
the country. The meeting was held midcr the Exchange, on 
the Gth of July, 1774; and a crowded meeting it was. At 
nine o'clock in the morning Colonel George Gabriel Powell 
took the chair, and it was carried, the votes should bo given 
by each person present, and not by parishes. It was also 
further determined that whoever came there might give his 
vote. The business of the day then opened with reading the 
communications from the northern Colonies. They then 
proceeded to consider certain resolutions touching American 
rights and grievances. These were agreed to." 

TJie South Carolina Asscmhhj. 

" Tlie Commons House of Assembly met agreeably to the 
Lieutenant-governor's prorogation, on Tuesday, the 2d day 
of August, 1774, at eight o'clock in the morning; and IMessrs, 
Heyward and Cattell were ordered to ' wait on the Lieu- 
tenant-governor, and acquamt his Honour that the House had 
met.' The said gentlemen being returned, Mr. Heyward 
reported to the House that Mr. Cattell and himself had 
waited on the Lieutenant-governor with the message they 
had in charge, and that his Honour was pleased to say he 
would be in the Council-cliamber immediately, when he 
woulfl send a message to this House. 

"Colonel Powell, chairman of the late general meeting, ac- 
quainted the House ' that, during the recess of this House, 
namely, on the Gth, 7th, and 8th davs of July last, at a gen- 
eral meeting of the inhabitants of this Colony, they having 
under consideration the acts of Parlinment lately passed with 
rcganl to the port of Boston and Colony of Massachusetts 
Bay, as well as other American grievanees. had nominated 
and appointed the Honourable Henrv Middleton, John Rut- 
Icdpce. Thomas Lynch. Christopher Gadsden, and Edward 
Rutlodge, Esquires, deputies, on the part and behalf of this 



THE BIBTU OF THE REPUBLTG. 327 

Colony, to meet the deputies of the other Colonies of North 
America, in general Congress, the first Monday in Septem- 
ber next, at Philadelphia, or at any other time or place that 
may be generally agreed on : then to consider the acts lately 
passed and bills depending in Parliament with regard to the 
port of Boston and Colony of Massachusetts Bay, which 
acts and bills in the precedent and consequences affect the 
whole continent of America ; also the grievances under 
which America labors by reason of the several acts of Par- 
liament that impose taxes or duties for raising a revenue 
and lay unnecessary restraints and burthens on trade, and of 
the statutes. Parliamentary acts, and royal instructions 
which make an invidious distinction between his Majesty's 
subjects in Great Britain and America ; — with full power and 
authority to concert, agree to, and effectually prosecute such 
legal measures as in the opinion of the said deputies, and of 
the deputies so to be assembled, shall be most likely to ob- 
tain a repeal of the said acts and a redress of those griev- 
ances.' — And thereupon moved that this House do resolve to 
recognize, ratify, and confirm the said appointment of depu- 
ties for the purposes aforesaid ; and that this House do also 
resolve to provide a sum not exceeding one thousand five 
hundred pounds sterling to defray the expenses which said 
deputies will be at on the said service. 

" ' Resolved, nenime contradicente, That this House do 
recognize, ratify, and confirm the appointment of the said 
deputies for the purposes mentioned in the said motion. 

"'Resolved, nemine contradicente, That this House will 
make provision to pay any person or persons who will ad- 
vance to the said Heni-y Middleton, John Rutledge, Thomas 
Lynch, Christopher Gadsden, and Edward Rutledge, Es- 
quires, the sum of one thousand five hundred pounds ster- 
ling (for the purposes aforesaid), together with full in- 
terest from the dny the said one thousand five hundred 
pounds sterling shall be advanced until it be repaid to the 
person or persons advancing the same.' " 

Non-consumption of Tea. 

" CnARLESTOWN, S. C, October 14, 1774. 

" On Wednesday last the General Committee of this Col- 
ony chose a Comniittee of Inqiiiry to see that no India teas 
from any place whatever be imported or landed here, and 
ordered the following advertisement to be published in the 
Gazette : 

" ' CnAKi.ESTO-n-N S. C, October 12, 1774. 

" ' The General Committee most earnestly recommend and 
request of those inhabitants of this Colony who have not yet 
signed an agreement for non-consiunption of India teas after 
the first day of November next, that they vill subscribe the 



328 THE BIRTn OF THE REPUBLIC. 

said ngrecmont as soon as possible; for which purpose copies 
thereof will be lodged in the hands of the gentlemen who 
were chosen to represent the several parishes on the said 
committee.' " 

Extracts from the charge of the Honorable William 
Henry Drayton, Esq., one of the Judges of the General 
Sessions of the Peace, Oyer and Terminer, Assize and Gen- 
eral Gaol Dehvery for the districts of Camden and Clieraw, 
in South Carolina, on his circuit, the fifth and fifteenth days 
of November, 1774, delivered to the several Grand Juries, 
and by them ordered to be published : 

"By as much as you prefer freedom to slavery, by so 
much ought you to prefer a generous death to servitude, 
and to hazard everything to endeavor to maintain tliat rank 
which is so gloriously pre-eminent above all other nations. 
You ought to endeavor to preserve it, not only for its ines- 
timable value, but from a I'everence to our auccstoz'S, from 
whom we received it, and from a love of our children, to 
whom we are bound by every consideration to dehver down 
this legacy, the most valuable that ever was or can be de- 
livered to posterity. 

" It is unnecessary for me to draw any other character of 
those Hberties than tliat great line by which they are dis- 
tinguished ; and happy is it for the subject, that those liber- 
ties can be marked in so easy and so distinguished a manner. 
And this is the distinguishing character: Enghsh people 
cannot be taxed ; nay, they cannot be bound by any law 
unless by their consent, expressed by themselves or by theu* 
representatives of tlioir own election. This Colony was 
settled by English subjects ; by a people from England her- 
self ; a people who brought over with them, wlio planted in 
this Colony, and who transmitted to posterity, the invaluable 
rights of Englishmen— rights which no time, no contract, no 
chmate can diminish. 

"Some worthy judges stj'le themselves the King's ser- 
vants, a style which sounds harshly in my ears, inasmuch 
as tiie being a servant implies obedience to the orders of the 
master, and such judges might, possibly think that in the 
present situation of American affairs this charge is incon- 
sistent with my duty to the King. But for my part, in my 
judicial character, I know no master but the law- ; I am a 
servant, not to the King, but to the Constitution ; and in my 
estimation, I shall but discharge my duty as a good subject 
to tho Kin- and a trusty officer under the Constitution, 
when I 1) .Idly declare the law to the people and instiaict 
tlicm m th.ir civil rights. Indeed, you gentleman of the 
Grand Jury cannot properly comprehend your duty, and 
your groat obligation to iierlorm it, unless you know those 
civil riKhts from which these duties spring: and, by knowing 
the value of those rights, thenco learn your obligations to 



TEE BIRTH OF TBE BEPUBLIC. 329 

perforin these duties. A learned judge says: 'Every new 
tribunal erected for the decision of facts, without the inter- 
vention of a jury, is a step towards aristocracy — the most 
opx:)ressive of absolute governments.' And it is therefore a 
duty which every man owes to his country, his friends, his 
posterity, and himself, to maintain to the utmost of his 
power this valuable Constitution in all its rights; to restore 
it to its ancient dignity, if at all impaired; to amend it 
wherever it is defective ; and, above all, to guard with the 
most jealous circumspection against the mtroduction of new 
and arbitrary methods of trial, which, under a variety of 
plausible pretences, may in time imperceptibly undermine 
this best preservative of English hberty. 

"Mr. Justice Blackstone terms the English trial by jury 
the glory of the English law ; let me tell you, it is that kind of 
glory in full meridian lustre, in comparison of which the 
Enghsh mode appears only with diminished splendour." 

Presentments of the Ch'and Jury for the District of Camden. 

*' 3. We present, as a grievance of the most dangerous and 
alarming nature, the power exercised by the Parliament to 
tax and to make laws to bind the American Colonies in all 
cases whatsoever. "We conceive such a power is destructive 
of our birthrights as freemen, descended from English an- 
cestors, seeing such freemen cannot be Constitutionally taxed 
or bound by any law without their consent, expressed by 
themselves or implied by their representatives of their own 
election ; a consent which the good people of this Colony 
never have signified, to be taxed or bound by laws of the 
British Parliament, in which they never have had any Con- 
stitutional representation. 

" And whereas, We rather choose to die freemen than to 
live slaves, bound by laws in the formation of which we 
have no participation, so now, that the body of this district 
are legally assembled, as one step towards the defence of our 
Constitutional rights, which are dearer to us than our lives 
and fortunes, we think it our indispensable duty to the peo- 
ple of the district, to ourselves, the Grand Jurors for the 
body of the people, and to our posterity, thus clearly to ex- 
press the sense of this large and populous district touching 
our Constitutional rights and the very imminent danger to 
which they are exposed from the usurped power of the Brit- 
ish Parliament, taxing, and, by law binding, the Americans 
in all cases whatsoever ; — being resolved to maintain our Con- 
stitutional rights at the hazard of our lives and fortunes, we 
do most earnestly recommend that this pi*esentment in par- 
ticular be laid before our Constitutional representatives in 
General Assembly, who, we doubt not, will do all in their 
power to support us in our just rights. 

"And, lastly, in tcstimon^v^ of the satisfaction we feel, and 



330 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIO. 

the high estimation in which we hold the charge given by 
his Honour the judge at the opening of the court, and the 
principles of loyalty and liberty in which the same is mani- 
festly founded, and also that a lasting evidence may remain 
of that true and Constitutional language, which it is the duty 
of every judge to adopt in the exercise of an office instituted 
solely for the preservation of the laws, we make it our re- 
quest that his Honour will be pleased to direct the said 
enlarge to be printed and made pubhc, fully persuaded that 
every man will read it with applause who wishes a lasting 
security to the British Constitutional establishment of our 
civil and religious liberty. We also recommend the publi- 
cation of these our presentments. 

"Matthew Singleton, 

' ' Foreman ; 

" Joshua English, Jasper Sutton, Isham Moore, 

Sylvester Dunn, John Payn, John Cantey, 

John Withorspoon, Henrj- Cassells, John Gamble, 

Samuel Bradley, Robert Carter, James Conyers, 

Henry Hunter, David Wilson, David Neilson, 

Aaron Frierson, Thomas Coffity, Moses Gordon, 

John Perkins, Sr., Samuel Cantey, Edward Dukey." 

Tlie South Carolina Provincial Congress. 

"On Wednesday, the 11th day of January, 1775, the 
deputies from every parish and district in the Province of 
South Carolina met at the Exchange in Charleston, agree- 
ably to the Resolutions of Election; 

" And after some debate it was, — 

" 'Resolved, That tliis Congress do approve the Declara- 
tion of American Rights as framed by the Continental Con- 
gi'ess. 

" 'Ordered, That the Association formed by the late Con- 
tinental Congress be taken into immediate considei-ation. 

"The Association was then read, and after long debate it 
wi\s, — 

" ' Resolved, That this Congress do approve the American 
Association. 

'"Ordered. That the resolutions of the late Continental 
Congress on the 10th of September last, and the first, second, 
fourth, and sixth resolutions of the said Congress on the 14th 
of October last, he taken into immediate consideration. 

" ' Resolved, That tliis Congress do approve the above res- 
olutions of the Continental Congress. 

" ' Ordered, That the President do return the most cordial 
and grateful thanks of this Congress to each of the late 
Deleu'ates from this Colony to the late Continental Congress 
for their able and faithfvil discharge in the said Congress 
of the high trust reposed in them by their country.' 



THE BIRTn OF THE REPUBLIC. 331 

" And the same was done accordingly. 

' ' ' Resolved, That the unfeigned thanks of every American 
are justly due to the worthy and patriotic members of the 
late Continental Congress, held at Philadelphia, for their 
wise and spirited exertions in behalf of American liberty ; 
and the representatives of this Colony, now met in Provincial 
Congress, do hereby, in bebalc of themselves and in the 
names of their constituents, unanimously express their sense 
of the great services rendered them by those important pro- 
ceedings.'" 

Extract froin Drayton, the Historian. 

"Our Delegates from Congress being present, the pro- 
ceedings of that body at Philadelphia were taken into con- 
sideration, and many questions were proposed to them 
relative to various parts of the proceedings, to which answers 
and explanations were given by them. One of the most 
important of these was, why, at a time when a number of 
gentlemen were sent to Congress from all parts of America, 
for the express purpose of considering and stating the Ame- 
rican grievances, and for devising the proper means for 
redressing them, why did they limit their researches to the 
year 17G3, and not trace back, as could easily have been 
done, the many aggressions which had been committed by 
Great Britain upon her infant Colonies, in the jealousies, 
monopolies, and prohibitions with which she was so prodigal 
towards them, for tbe express purpose of depressing their 
population, confining their trade, and crippling their at- 
tempts at even the most domestic and necessary manufac- 
tui'cs ? To this it was answered that our Delegates were 
willing to have stated all the grievances, as were the greater 
part cf tbe other Delegates ; but the people of Virginia would 
not retrospect further back than 1763, being limited in their 
powers." 

" CnARLESTOWN, Jan'y 17, 1775. 

"Resolved, Tliat it be recommended by this Congress, to 
all the inhabitants of this Colony, that they be diligently 
attentive in learning the use of arms, and that their officers 
be requested to train and exercise them at least once a fort- 
night. 

' ' Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of 
this Colony to set apart Friday, the 17tb February next, as a 
day of fasting, humihation, and prayer before Almighty God, 
devoutly to petition him to inspire the King with true wis- 
dom to defend the people of North America in their just title 
to freedom, and to avert from them the impending calamities 
of civil war. 

"Resolved, That the several ministers of the gospel 
throughout the Colony be requested to prepare and deliver 
suitable discourses upon this solemn occasion. 



332 TEE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

"Eesolved, That every member of the present Congress 
who may be in town do meet at the Commons House of As- 
sembly, and proceed from thence in a body to attend divine 
scrvice'at St. PhiUp's Church ; and that the president do re- 
quest of the Reverend Mr. Robert Smith that he will prepare 
and preach on that day a sermon suitable to the importance 
of the occasion." 

Association 

unanimously agreed to in the Provincial Congress of South 

Carolina. 

" June 3d, 1775. 

" The actual commencement of hostilities agamst tlois 
conthiont by the British troops in the bloody scene on the 
19th of April last near Boston, the increase of arbiti'ary im- 
positions from a wicked and despotic Minisiry, and the dread 
of instigated insurrections in the Colonie?; are causes suffi- 
cient to drive an oppressed people to the u>^:^ of arms. 

'" We, therefore, the subscribers, inhabitants of South 
Carolina, holding ourselves bound by that most sacred of all 
obligations— the duty of good citizens toAvards an injured 
country, and thoroughly convinced that under our present 
distressed circumstances we shall be justified before God and 
man in resisting force by force, do unite ourselves under 
every tie of rciligion and honor, and associate as a band in 
her defence against every foe ; hereby solemnly engaging 
that, whenever our Continental or Provincial Councils shall 
decree it necessary, we will go forth and be ready to sacri- 
fice our Hves and fortunes to secure her freedom and safety. 

"This obligation to continue in full force until a recon- 
ciliation shall take place between Great Britain and America 
upon Constitutional principles — au event which we most 
ardently desire. 

" And we will hold all those persons inimical to the liberty 
of the Colonies who shall refuse to subscribe to this Associa- 
tion. 

"Subscribed by every member present on the 4th day of 
June, 1775. Certified by 

"Henry Laurens, Presidents 

"CnAULKSTowN, 8. C, June 8, 1775. 
" The Association signed by the Provincial Congress and 
recommended by them as a proper instrument to be sub- 
scribed to at this juncture by persons of all persuasions, was 
in a few days, with the greatest avidity and cheerfulness, 
signed also by almost every man in this town ; in short, such 
is hero the spirit for liberty and freedom, that, of the very 
few who objected, there Avore only two who were hardy 
enough to ridicule or treat it witli contempt, viz., Lougldin 
Martin and John Dealy, on which account they drew ou 



THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIG. 333 

tbemselves the resentment of the populace. Yesterday they 
were carted through the principal streets of this town in 
complete suits of tar and feathers. The very indecent and 
daring behaviour of the two culpi'its in several instances oc- 
casioned their being made spectacles of. After having been 
exhibited for about a half-hour, and having made many 
acknowledgments of their crime, they were conducted 
home, cleaned, and quietly put on board of Captain Lasley's 
ship, lying wind-bound, for Bristol. We hear that, upon the 
intercession of Martin's friends, and his repeated promises of 
future good behaviour, he is allowed to come on shore and 
follow his business as usual." 

" Charlestown, S. C, June 9, 1775. 

" We are informed that the Association lately subscribed 
by the Provincial Congress, and recommended by them as 
proper to be signed by all the inhabitants meets with the 
greatest success. In the course of four days it has been 
signed by almost every man in Charlestown; none having re- 
fused, that we hear of, except a few gentlemen under pe- 
culiar cii"cumstances. 

' ' We also learn that the Provincial Congress have deter- 
mined to raise two regiments of foot and one of horse 
immediately ; and also to put the Militia upon a respectable 
footing, to which the people most cheerfully accord; and we 
have the satisfaction of knowing that the Colony will very 
speedOy be put in a good posture of defence. 

" The Provincial Congress have resolved to lay up proper 
quantities of rice and flour in granaries in divers parts of 
the Colony, and have appointed commissioners for pur- 
chasing these articles, and carrying these resolutions forth- 
with into execution. They have also prohibited the further 
exportation of rice and corn for three months." 

Address of the Provincial Congress to the Governor. 

" To his Excellency the Might Honourable Lord William Campbell, Governor 
atid Commander-in-chief in and over the Province aforesaid : 

"The humble Address and Declaration of the Provincial 
Congress : 

" We, his Majesty's loyal subjects, the representatives of 
the people of this Colony, in Congress assembled, beg leave 
to disclose to your Excellency the true causes of our proceed- 
ings; not only that upon your arrival among us you may 
receive no unfavoi'able impression of our conduct, but that 
we may stand justified to the world. 

' ' When the ordinary modes of application for redress of 
grievances, and the usual means of defence against arbitrary 
impositions, have failed, mankind generally have had re- 
course to those that are extraordinary. Hence the origin of 



33-i THE BIIlTll OF THE BEFUBLIG. 

the Continental Congress, and hence the present representa- 
tion of the people of this Colony. 

"It is unnecessary to enumerate the grievances of 
America; tlicy have been so often represented that your 
Excellency cannot be a stranger to them. Let it therefoi-e 
suffico to say that the hands of his Majesty's Ministers 
■wliicli have long lain heavy, now press us with intolerable 
weight. 

" We declare that no love of innovation, no desire of alter- 
ing the Constitution of government, no lust of independence, 
has had the least influence upon our councils. 

''But, alarmed and roused by a long succession of arbi- 
trary proceedings by wicked administrations, impressed 
with the greatest apprehensions of instigated insurrections, 
and deeply affected by the commencement of hostilities, by 
the British troops, against this continent, solely for the 
preservation and defence of our lives, liberties, and proper- 
tics, we have been compelled to associate and take up arms. 

"We sincerely deplore those slanderous informations and 
wicked counsels by which his Majesty has been led into 
measures wliich, if persisted in, must inevitably involve 
America in all the calamities of civil war and rend the 
British empire. 

"We only desire the secure enjoyment of our invaluable 
rights, and we wish for nothing more ardently than a speedy 
reconciliation with our mother-country upon Constitutional 
principles. 

"Conscious of the justice of our cause and the integrity 
of our views, we readily profess our lojal attachment to our 
Sovereign, his Crown and dignity; and trusting the event 
to Providence, we prefer death to slavery." 

" I»l PkOVINCIAI, CONORESS, ) 

Charlestown, S. C, Juno 2;i, 1775. \ 
"Resolved, That all absentees holding estates in this 

Colonv, except the sick, those above sixty, and those under 

twenty- one years of jige, ought forthwith to return to tliis 

Colony. 

" Resolved. That no persons holding estates in this Colony 

ought to withdraw from its service without giving good and 

suffi<,'ient i-easons for so doing, to this Congi'ess, or, during 

its recess, to the General Committee. 

"Ordered, That the two foregoing resolutions be printed 

and made public. Peter Timothy, Secretary.^^ 

(Extract.) 

"The humble address of the Commons House of Assembly 
of the said Colony of South CaroHna to his Excellency the 
Governor, dated July 12, 1775: 

'"In times when the spirit of the Constitution has full 
operation and, animating all the members of the state, gives 



THE BIRTU OF TUE HE PUBLIC. 335 

security to civil liberty, then we claim to be "the only legal 
representatives of the people m this Province, the only Con- 
stitutional guardians of its welfare;" but, in the present un- 
happy situation of affairs, though our constituents anight 
have thought us coini:)etent, yet, as our own meeting de- 
pended upon the pleasure of the Crown, they would not 
trust to so precarious a contingency, but wisely appointed 
another representative body, for necessary, for special, and 
impoi-tant purposes. 

" ' We want words to give an idea of our feelings at your 
Excellency's expression, "If there are any grievances that 
we apprehend the people of this Province labour under" — as 
if you doubted their existence : the world resounds with a 
catalogue of them. 

' ' ' Your Excellency surely cannot be unacquainted with 
them. 

A Constitution or Form of Government Agreed to and Re- 
solved upon hy the Representatives of South Carolina. 

" Whereas, The British Parliameiit, claiming of late years 
a right to bind the North American Colonies by law in all 
cases whatsoever, have enacted statutes for raising a revenue 
in those Colonies, and disposing of such revenue as they 
thought proi)er, without the consent and against the will of 
the Colonists, etc. . . . 

"And whereas. The judges of the courts of law here have 
refused to exercise their respective functions, so that it is 
become indispensably necessary that, during the present 
situation of American affairs, and until the accommodation 
of the unhappy differences between Great Britain and 
America can be obtained (an event which, though traduced 
and treated as rebels, we still earnestly desire), some mode 
should be established by common consent and for the good 
of the people — the origin and end of all government for reg- 
ulating the internal polity of this Colony ; the Congress being 
vested with powers competent for the purjiose, and having 
fully deliberated touching the premises, do therefore, — 

"Eesolve, 1. That this Congress, being a full and free 
representation of the people of this Colony, shall henceforth 
be deemed and called the General Assembly of South Caro- 
lina ; and as such, shall continue imtil the 21st day of October 
next, and no longer. 

' ' 2. That the General Assembly shall, out of their own 
body, elect by ballot a Legislative Council, to consist of 
thirteen members, seven of whom shall be a quorum, and 
to continue for the same time as the General Assembly. 

"3. That the General Assembly and the said Legislative 
Council shall jointly choose by ballot, from among them- 
selves or from the people at large, a President and Com- 
mander-in-chief and a Vice-president of the Colony. 



336 THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLW. 

"4. Tliat a m(>nibor of the General Assembly being chosen 
and acting as President and Commander-in chief, or Vice- 
president, or one of the Legislative Council, shall vacate his 
seat in the General Assembly, and another person shall be 
elected in liis room ; and if one of the Legislative Council is 
chosen President and Commander-in-chief, or Vice presi- 
dent, he shall lose his scat, and another shall be elected in 
his stead. 

'• 5. That there be a Privy Council, whereof the Vice-presi- 
dent of tlie Colony shall of course be a member and presi- 
dent of the Pi'ivy Council ; and that six other members be 
chosen by ballot— three by the General Assembly, and three 
by the Legislative Council : provided always, that no officer 
of the Army or Navy, in the service of the Continent or of 
tliis Colony, shall be eligible; and a member of the General 
Assembly or of the Legislative Council being chosen of the 
Privy Council, shall not thereby lose his seat in the General 
Assembly or Legislative Council unless he be elected Vice- 
president of the Colony; in which case he shall, and another 
person shaU be chosen in his stead. 

"The Privy Council, of which four to be a quorum, to 
advise the President and Commander-in-chief when re- 
quu-ed ; but he shall not be bound to consult them unless in 
cases after-mentione 1. 

''6. That the qualifications of the President and Com- 
mander in-chief and Vice-president of the Colony, and 
members of the Legislative and Pi-ivy Councils, shall be the 
same as of members of the General Assembly ; and on being 
elected, they shall take an oath of qualification in the Gen- 
eral Assembly, 

" 7. That the legislative authority be vested in the Presi- 
dent and Conunander-in-chief, the General Assembly, and 
Legislative Council, etc." 

General Order of General Washington. 

"IIkadquarters, ) 

New Yokk, August 9, 177fi. ) 

" Tlie general exhorts every man, both officer and soldier, 
to be prepared for action ; to have his arms in the best order; 
not to wander from his encampment or quarters ; to remem- 
ber what their country expects of them; what a few brave 
men have lately done, in South Carolina, against a poAverful 
fleet and army; to acquit themselves like men ;— and with 
the blessing of heaven on so just a cause, we canxiot doubt 
of success." 



TUE BIRTH OF THE EEPTJBLIG. 037 

CHAPTER VII. 

GEORGIA. 

Georgia was the youngest and feeblest of the Colonies. 
It was settled in 1733. When the Revolution began, there- 
fore, it was barely forty years old, and forty years in the 
life of a Colony in that "age are not to be measured by a 
similar period of time nowadays. By the aid of steam and 
railways and telegraphs, the populous Atlantic and Middle 
States and the vast tide of European immigration will now 
accomplish more in the way of colonizing a western terri- 
tory in a single year than could have been done during the 
first half of the eighteenth century. Georgia, therefore, 
was not in a condition to do much for the common cause in 
the beginning of the struggle ; but her gallant sons did what 
they could. 

The circular-letter of the Massachusetts Assembly dated 
February 11, 1768, in regard to the taxes on tea and other 
articles, reached Georgia after the adjournment of the As- 
sembly. It was rephed to by the speaker, Alexander 
Wylly, Esq., " as a private person," in which he stated that 
Dr. Franklin had been appointed agent of the Colony, with 
instructions to urge the repeal of the act. The Legislature 
met in November, and the Governor, referring to this cor- 
respondence, which had been made public, informed the 
Assembly that if any countenance was given to the scheme 
of Massachusetts, it "would be his duty "immediately to put 
an end to your sitting." Accordingly the presentation of 
the Massachusetts letter was withheld until the necessary 
legislation was diposed of, when Mr. Wylly laid that letter 
before the Assembly, with a similar one from Peyton Ran- 
dolph, speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses. Both 
were ordered to be entered on the Journals; which was 
done. 

" Resolved, That, from the inherent right of the subject to 
petition the Throne for redress of grievances, — a right allov^^ed 
and coniii'med by act of William and Mary, — the said letters 
do not appear to the House of a factious or dangerous ten- 
dency, but, on the contrary, in the opinion of this House, 
only tend to a justifiable union of subjects aggrieved, in law- 
ful and laudable endeavors to obtain redress by an apyilica- 
tion founded upon and expressive of duty and loyalty to 
the best of kings, a becoming respect for the Pai'liament of 
Great Britain, and an equitable and natural affection for 
our mother-country, and arises from the tender and com- 
mandable attention of those Colonies to the natural rights 
and liberties of the British subjects in America, and to 



338 THE BIRTH 07'* THE BEPUBLIG. 

•which they are iindoniably entitled upon the happy prin- 
ciples of our Constitution. -, . , , 

"Resolved, That copies of this resolution be, by the 
Bpenker of the House, transmitted to the speaker of the 
House of Representatives of the Province of Massachusetts 
Lav anil to the speaker of the House of Burgesses in Vir- 
ginia and that they he acquainted by him that this House 
approves of the measures by them pursued to obtain redress 
o£ our common grievances; also of tlie method by them 
taken of communicating these measures to the other Prov- 
i7K'es of the continent. 

"Oi-d-'red, That the several proceedings and resolutions 
respecting the said letters be pubHshed in the Gazette of this 
ProA-ince, and that the clerk do furnish the printer with a 
copy of the same." 

In the same spirit an address to the King was adopted. 

The consequence of these proceedings was, the immediate 
db^solution of the Assembly, as had been threatened by the 
Governor. The address was sent to Dr. Franklin to be 
presented to the King; which Avas done through the Earl of 
Hillsborough. But its reception through that channel was 
refused, on the ground that it should have come through the 
Governor. 

On the ICth of September, 17G9, a meeting of the mer- 
chants and traders of Savannah was held at the house of 
]\Ir. Alexander Creighton, at which they resolved, "That 
any pei-son or persons whatsoever importing any of the arti- 
cles subject to Parliamentary duties, after having it in their 
power to prevent it, ought not only to be treated with con- 
tempt, but also as enemies of their country." Three days 
after, a large meeting was convened with the 'Honorable Jona- 
than Bryan, one of the Governor's Council, in the chair, at 
which the same subject was renewedly canvassed, and re- 
solves of non-importation, mostly similar to the other Colo- 
nies, unanimously passed. One of the resolves, based on the 
sculiracnts of the Bostonians in 17G5, was to abolish mourn- 
ing at funerals, as the black stuffs used for such purposes 
Avere of British manufacture. 

From this time there Avas a constant struggle between the 
Governor and the Assembly. Bryan was thrown out of the 
Council by order of the King. The unanimous election of 
Dr. Noble Wimberly Jones to the speakership of the Com- 
mons Avas negatived by the GoA^ernor, The Assembly re- 
sented the insult as a breach of priAdlege, and as tending to 
subvert the rights and liberties of the people. 

" S.vvANAn, Ga., July 14, 1774. 
"The critical situation to which the British Colonies in 
America are likely to be reduced from the alarming and 
arbitrary impositions of the late acts of the British Parlia- 



TRE BIRTU OF THE REPUBLIC. 339 

ment respecting the town of Boston, as well as the acts that 
at present extend to the raising of a perpetual revenue 
without the consent of the people or their representatives, 
is considered as an object extremely important at this criti- 
cal juncture, and particularly calculated to deprive the 
American subjects of their Constitutional rights and liber- 
ties as a part of the British empire. It is therefore re- 
quested that all persons within the limits of this Province 
do attend at the Liberty Pole at Fondee's Tavern, in Savan- 
nah, on Wednesday, the 27th instant, in order that the said 
matters may be taken under consideration, and other Con- 
stitutional measures pursued as may then appear to be 
most eligible. 

" Noble W. Jones, John Houston, 

Archibald Bulloch, George Walton." 

Resolutions Adopted at a General Meeting of the People. 

Resolutions entered into at Savannah, in Georgia, on 
Wednesday, the 10th day of August, 1774, at a general meet- 
ing of the inhabitants of the Province, assembled to consider 
the state of the Colonies in America : 

"Resolved, nemine contradicente, That his Majesty's sub- 
jects in America owe the same allegiance, and are entitled 
to the same rights, privileges, and immunities, with their 
fellow-subjects in Great Britain. 

" 'Resolved, nemine contradicente. That as protection and 
allegiance are reciprocal, and under the British Constitution 
con-elative, terms, his Majesty's liege subjects in America 
have a clear and indisputable right, as well from the general 
laws of mankind as from the ancient and established customs 
of the land, so often recognized, to petition the Throne upon 
every emergency. 

" 'Resolved, nemine contradicente, That an act of Parlia- 
ment lately passed for blocking the port and harbor of Bos- 
ton is contrary to our idea of the British Constitution. First 
for that in effect deprives good and lawful men of the use of 
their property, without judgment of their peers; and, second- 
ly, for that it is in nature of an ex post facto law, and indis- 
criminately lilends, as objects of punishment, the innocent 
with the giiilty : neither do we conceive the same justified 
upon the principles of necessity ; for that numerous instances 
evince that the laws and executive power of Boston have 
made sufficient provisions for the punishment of all offenders 
against persons, or property. 

" 'Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the act for abolish- 
ing the Charter of Massachusetts Bay tends to tlie subversion 
of American rights; for, besides those general liberties the 
original settlers brought over with them as their birthright, 
particular immunities were granted by such Charter as an 
inducement and means of settling the Province ; and we ap- 



840 Tim BIRTU OF THE REPUBLIC. 

prehend the said Charter cannot be dissolved hut hy a volun- 
tary surrender of the people representatively declared. 

" 'Resolved, neniine contradicente, That we apprehend the 
Parliament of Great Britain hath not, nor ever had, any rijiht 
to tax his Majesty's American subjects; for it is evident be- 
yond contradiction, the Constitution admits of no taxation 
without representation, that they are coeval and insepara- 
ble; and every demand for the support of government should 
be by requisition made to the several Houses of Represen- 
tatives. 

'• 'Resolved, nemine contradicente, That it is contrary to 
natural justice and the established law of the land, to trans- 
port any person to Great Britain or elsewhere to be tried 
under indictment for a crime committed in any of the Col- 
onies, as the party prosecuted would thereby be deprived of 
the privileses of trial by his peers from the vicinage, the 
injured ])erhaps prevented from legal reparation, and both 
lose the full benefit of their witnesses. 

' ' ' Resolved, nemine contradicente, That we will concur with 
our sister-Colonies in every Constitutional measure to obtain 
redress of American grievances, and will, by every la^\'ful 
means in our i)0wer, maintain these inestimable blessings 
for which we are indebted to God and the Constitution of 
our country— a Constitution founded upon reason and jus- 
tice and the indelible rights of mankind. 

" ' Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the committee ap- 
pointed by the meeting of the inhabitants of this Province, 
on Wednesday, the 27th of July last, together with the depu- 
ties who have ai)pearcd here on this day, from the different 
Iiarishes, be a general connuittee to act; and that any eleven 
or more of them shall have full power to correspond with 
the committee of the several Provinces upon the continent; 
and that copies of these resolutions, as w^ell as all other pro- 
ceedings, be transmitted, without delay, to the Committees 
of Correspondence in the respective Provinces.' 

"A coimnittee was appointed to receive subscriptions for 
the suffering poor of Boston, consisting of William Ewen, 
William Young, Joseph Clay, John Houston, Nt>ble Wimb- 
ei-ly Jones, Edward Telfair, John Smith, Samuel Farley, and 
Andrew Elton Wells, Esqrs." 

Darien (Ga.) Resolutions. 

"In the Dakien Committee, ) 
Thursday, January 13, 1775. ( 

" When the most valuable privileges of a people are in- 
vaded, not only by open violence, but by every kind of fraud, 
sophistry, and cunning, it behooves very individual to be on 
his guard, and every member of society, like beacons in a 
country surrounded by enemies, to give the alarm, not only 
when their hberties in general are attacked, but separately, 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 341 

lest a precedent in one may affect the whole ; and to enable 
the collective wisdom of such people to judge of its conse- 
quences, and how far their respective grievances concern all, 
or should be opposed, to pi'eserve their necessary union. 

'' Every laudable attempt of this kind by the good people 
of this Colony, in a Constitutional manner, hath been hitherto 
frustrated by the influence and authority of men in oflS.ce, 
and their nimierous dependents, and in every other natural 
and just way, by the various arts they have put in practice. 
We. therefore, the representatives of the extensive district 
of Darien, in the Colony of Georgia, being now assembled in 
Congress by the authority and free choice of the inhabitants 
of the said district, now freed from their fetters, do resolve— 

" 1st. That the unparalleled moderation, the decent but 
firm and manly conduct, of the loyal and brave people of Bos- 
ton and Massachusetts Bay, to preserve their liberty, deserves 
not only the applause and thanks of America, but also the 
imitation of all mankind. But to avoid needless repetition, 
we acquiesce and join in all the resolutions passed by the 
grand American Congress in Philadelphia last October." 

"5th. To show the world that we are not influenced by 
any contracted or interested motives, but a general philan- 
thropy for all mankind, of whatever climate, language, or 
complexion, we hereby declai'e our disapprobation and ab- 
horrence of the unnatural practice of slavery in America 
(however the uncultivated state of our country, or other spe- 
cious arguments may plead for it)— a practice founded in in- 
justice and cruelty, and highly dangerous to our liberties 
(as well as lives), debnsing part of our fellow-creatures below 
men, and corrupting the virtue and morals of the rest; and 
is laying the basis of that liberty we contend for (and which 
we pray the Almighty to continue to the latest posterity) 
upon a very wrong foundation. We therefore resolve at ail 
times to use our utmost endeavors for the manumission of 
our slaves in this Colony, upon the most safe and equitable 
footing for the masters and themselves." 

" Association. 

"Being persuaded that the salvation of the rights and lib- 
erties of America depend, imder God, on the firm union of 
the inhabitants in its vigorous prosecution of the measures 
necessary for its safety, and convinced of the necessity of 
preventing the anarchy and confusion which attend the dis- 
solution of the powers of governments, we, the freemen, 
freeholders, and inhabitants of the Province of Georgia,being 
greatly alarmed at the avowed design of the Ministry to 
raise a revenue in America, and shocked by the bloody scene 
now acting in the Massachusetts Bay, do iii the most solemn 
manner resolve never to become slaves, and do associate, 
under all the ties of religion, honor, and love of country, to 



:U2 THE BIRTH OF THE EEPUBLlO. 

adopt and endeavor to carry into execution whatever may- 
be recomnionded by the Continental Congress or resolved 
upon by our Provincial Convention that shnll be appointed 
for the purpose of preserving our Constitution, and opposing 
the execution of the several arbitrary and oppressive acts of 
the British Parliament, until a reconciliation between Great 
Britain and America on Constitutional principles, which we 
most ardently desire, can be obtained ; and that we will in all 
things follow the advice of our General Committee to be ap- 
pointed, respecting tlie purposes aforesaid— the preservation 
of peace and good order and the safety of individuals and 
private property. 
[Signed] 
"Lach'n Mcintosh, Geo. Threadcraft, 

John Fulton, Chas. McDonald, 

Samuel Fulton, John Mcintosh, 

Isaac Cuthbcrt, Eay'd Demere, 

Isaac Hall, Jiles Moore. 

Jones Newsom, Samuel McCleland, 

A. Daniel Cuihbert, Peter Sallens, Jr., 

John Ilnll, James Clark, 

John McCullugh, Sr., Jno. Witherspoon, Jr., 

John McCullugh, Jr., Jno. Witherspoon, 

William McCullugh, Reu. Shuttleworth, 

Paul Judton, John McCleland, 

John Roland, Richard Cooper, 

Pr. Shuttleworth, Seth McCullugh, 

Josepli Stobe, Thomas King." 

To. Bierry, 

*' Gkorgta TTottse or Assembly, j 
" Jiiimaiy, 1775. ( > 

"The House, taking under consideration that the Parlia- 
ment of Great Britain claim a power of right to bind the 
people of America by Statute in all cases whatsoever, and 
who have in some Acts expressly imposed taxes on the 
Americans, under various pretences, but in fact for the pur- 
pose of raising a revenue, hath established a Board of Com- 
missionors with unconstitutional powers, and extended the 
iurisdiction of the Courts of Admiralty, not only for col- 
lecting the duties imposed by the said acts, but for the trial 
of catises merely arising within the body of the county. 

"And whereas, Standing armies have been and now are 
kept in America in times of profound peace; and being 
resolved in Parliament that by force of a statute n^ade in 
the thirty-fifth year of the reign of Henry the Eighth, 
Ciilonists may be transported to" England and tried there, 
u[)f»n accusations of treasons, and misprisions or conceal- 
ments of treason committed in the Colonies; and by a late 
Statute such trials hav(» been directed in cases therein men- 
tiuned. And whereas, also, Assemblies have been frequently 



THE BIRTTI OF THE REPUBLIO. 343 

dissolved, contrary to the rights of the people, when they 
attempted to deliberate on grievances ; therefore this House 
doth, as Englishmen, their ancestors, in like cases have 
usually done for assisting and vindicating their rights and 
liberties, declare, — 

" 1st. That the inhabitants of the EngHsh Colonies of 
North America, by the immutable laws of nature, the prin- 
ciples of the Englisli Constitution, and the several charters 
or compacts, have the following rights: 

" 2d. Thati they are entitled to life, liberty, and property, 
and they have never ceded to any Sovereign power whatever 
a right to dispose of either without their consent. 

" 3d. That our ancestors who first settled these Colonies 
w^ere, at tiie time of their emigration from, the mother- 
country, entitled to all the rights, liberties, and immunities 
of free and natural born subjects within the realm of Eng- 
land. 

" 4th. That by such emigration they by no means for- 
feited, surrendered or lost any of these rights, but that they 
were, and their descendants now are, entitled to the exercise 
and enjoyment of all such of them as their local and other 
circmnstances enable them to exercise and enjoy. 

" 5th. That the foundation of Englisli liberty and of all 
free government is a right in the people to participate in the 
Legislative Council, and, as the English Colonists are not 
represented, and from their local and other circumstances 
cannot properly be represented in the British Parliament, 
they are entitled to a free and exclusive power of legislation 
in their several Provincial Legislatui-es, where the right of 
representation can alone be preserved in all cases of taxation 
and internal polity, subject only to the negative of their 
Sovereigns in such manner as has been heretofore used and 
accustomed; but from the necessity of the case, and a regard 
to the mutual interests of both countries, we cheerfully con- 
sent to the operation of such acts of the British Parliament 
as are honafide restrained to the regulation of our external 
commerce, for the purpose of securing the commercial ad- 
vantages of the whole Empire to the mother- country, and 
the commercial benefits of its respective members, excluding 
every idea of taxation, internal or external, for raising a 
revenue on the subjects in America, without their consent. 

" 6th. That the respective Colonies are entitled to the 
Common Law of England, and more especially to the great 
and inestimable privilege of being tried by their peers of the 
vicinage, according to the coui'se of that law. 

' 7th. That they are entitled to the benefit of such of the 
English Statutes as existed at the time of their Colonization, 
and which they have by expei-ience respectively found to be 
apjjlicable to their several local and other circumstances. 

" 8th. That his Majesty's Colonies are likewise entitled to 



;m4 the btrth of the republic. 

all tlio immunities and privileges granted and confirmed to 
tlx'in by royal charters, or secured by their several codes of 
Provincial laws. 

"9th. That they have a right peaceably to assemble and 
consider of their grievances, and petition the King; and that 
all prosecutions, prohibitory proclamations, and commit- 
ments for the same are illegal. 

"10th. That the keepmg a standing army in these Colo- 
nics in times of peace, without consent of the legislature of 
that Colony in which such army is kept, is against law. 

" 11th. And it is indispensably necessary to good govern- 
ment, and rendered essential by the English Constitution, 
that the constituent branches of the legislature be independ- 
ent of each other. 

" Resolved, That the exercise of legislative power in any 
Colony, by a Council appointed during pleasure by the 
Crown, may prove dangerous and destructive to the freedom 
of American legislation. 

"All and each of which the Commons of Georgia, in 
General Assembly met, do claim, demand, and insist on 
their indubitable rights and liberties, which cannot be legally 
taken from them, altered or abridged by any pei-son whatso- 
ever, without their consent. 

"And whereas. There are many infringements and vio- 
lations of the foregoing rights, which, from an ardent desire 
that harmony and mutual intercourse of affection and in- 
terest may be restored, we pass over for the present, and 
proceed to state such acts and measures as have been adopted 
since the close of the last war, which demonstrate a system 
formed to enslave America. 

'"Resolved, That the following acts of Parliament are 
mfnngements and violations of the rights of the Colonists, 
and that the repeal of them is essentially necessary in order 
to restore harmony between Great Britain and the American 
Colonies, viz.: The several acts of 4 George the Third, 
chapter 15 and chapter 34; 5 George the Third, chapter 25; 
6 George the Third, chapter 52; 7 George the Third, chapter 
41 anrl chapter 46; 8 George the Third, chapter 22;— which 
impose duties for the purpose of raising a revenue in America ; 
extend the powers of the Admiralty Courts beyond thcii- 
ancient limits; deprive the American subjects of trial by 
jury; authorize the judge's certificate to indemnify the 
prosecutor from damages that he might be otherwise en- 
iitiod to; requiring oppressive security from a claimant of 
ships and goods seized before he shall be allowed to defend 
ms |)roporty and arc subversive of American rights. Also 
1 J George the Tlnrd. chapter 24. entitled 'An Act for the 
better socunng Ins Majesty's dock yards, magazines, ships, 
ainmumti.m and stores,' which declares a new offence in 
America, and deprives the American subjects of a consti- 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIG. 345 

tutionaT trial by jury of the vicinap:e, by authorizing the 
trial of any person charged with committing any offence 
described in the said act out of the realm, to be indicted 
and tried for the same in any shire or county withua the 
realm. 

" Also the three acts, passed in the last session of Parlia- 
ment, for stopping the port and blocking up the harbor of 
Boston ; for altei'ing the Charter and government of Massa- 
chusetts Bay; and that which is entitled 'An Act for the 
Better Administration of Justice," etc. 

" Also the act, passed in the same session, for establishing 
the Roman Catholic religion in the Province of Quebec, 
abolishing the equitable system of English laws, and erect- 
ing a tyranny there, to the great danger, from so total a dis- 
similarity of religion, law, and government, to the neighbor- 
ing British Colonies, by the assistance of whose blood and 
treasure the said country was conquered from France. 

"Also the act, passed in the same session, for the better 
providing suitable quarters for officers and soldiers in his 
Majesty's service in North America. Also that the keeping 
a standing army in several of these Colonies in time of peace, 
without the consent of the legislature of that Colony in which 
such army is kept, is against law. 

" Resolved, That this House do present their most grate- 
ful acknowledgments to those truly noble, honorable, and 
patriotic advocates of civil and religious liberty who have so 
generously and powerfully, though unsuccessfully, espoused 
and defended the cause of America both in and out of Par- 
liament. 

" Resolved, That the thanks of this House be given to the 
members of the late Continental Congress for their wise and 
and able exertions in the cause of American liberty. 

" Resolved, That . . . be depiities to represent this Prov- 
ince in the intended American Continental Congress, pro- 
posed to be held at the city of Philadelphia on the 10th of 
May next, or any other place or time as may hereafter be 
agreed on by the said Congress. 

"Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do transmit a copy of the 
above resolves to the Honourable Peyton Randolph, Esquire, 
President of the said Congress." 

Association 

entered into by forty five of the deputies assembled in Pro- 
vincial Congress at Savannah, in Georgia, on the 18th of 
January, 1775, and by them subscribed on the 23d, when they 
chose Noble Wimberly Jones, Archibald Bullock, and John 
Houston, Esquires, Delegates to represent that Colony in the 
Continental Congress to bo held in May next: 

"Whereas, A non-importation, non-consuinption, and non- 
exportation agreement, faithfully adhei'ed to, will probably 



346 THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLlO. 

prove the most speedy, effectual, and peaceable measure to 
obtain redress of American grievances ; we do, therefore, for 
ourselves and our constituents, firmly agree and associate, 
under the sacred ties of virtue, honor, and love of country, 
as follows: , . . , 

" 1st. That Ave will not receive mto this Province any goods, 
wares, or merchandise that shaU be shipped from Great 
Britain or Ireland after the 15th day of March next; or from 
any other place such goods, wares, or merchandises as shall 
be shipped from those kingdoms after that time, except such 
as come under the rules and directions of the ninth article 
herein mentioned, and except such goods, wares, or mer- 
chandises as are absolutely necessary for carrying on the 
Indian trade, subject nevertheless to the control of the Con- 
tinental Congress, intended to be held at Philadephia on the 
10th day of May next. Nor wiU we from this day import or 
purchase any tea from any part of the world, nor import any 
molasses, syrups, paneles, coffee, or pimento from the Brit- 
ish plantations, or from Dominica, nor wines from Madeira, 
or the West Indies, nor foreign indigo. 

"2d. That we "uill neither import nor purchase any slaves 
imported from Africa or elsewhere, after the 15th day of 
March next. 

"3d. That we will not export any merchandise or com- 
modity whatever to Great Britain or Ireland, or to the West 
Indies', after the 1st day of December next, except rice to 
Europe. 

"4th. Such as are merchants and use the British and 
Irish trade will give orders as soon as possible to their fac- 
tors, agents, and correspondents in Great Britain and Ire- 
land not to ship any goods to them on any pretence what- 
ever, as they cannot be received in Georgia ; and if any 
merchants residing in Great Britain or Ireland shall directly 
or indirectly ship any goods, wares, or mei^chandise for this 
Province in order to break such non-importation agreement 
or in any manner contravene the same, on such unworthy 
conduct being well attested, it ought to be made public; and 
on the same being so done, we will not from thenceforth 
have any commercial connection with said merchant. 
_ "5th. That such as are owners of vessels will give posi- 
tive orders to their captains or masters not to receive on 
board their vessels any goods prohibited by the said non- 
importation agi-cement on pain of immediate dismission 
from their service." 

Meeting of the Inhabitants of Savannah^ Ga. 

"At a meeting of sundry gentlemen at Savannah on 
Monday, June 2G. 1775, it was unanimously,— 

" 'Resolved, That tho present acts of Parliament tending 
to raise a revenue in Ame-rica are grievances. 



THE DIBTH OF THE BEPUBLIO. 347 

" 'Resolved, therefore, That we will do all that we legally 
may to obtain redress of those grievances. 

" 'Eesolved, That Friday, the 80th instant, June, at 9 
o'clock A. M., at the house of Mrs. Cuyler, be a day ap- 
pointed for a meeting, in order to consult the most expe- 
dient method to obtain redress. ' " 

"PROvrNciAL Congress of Georgia, | 
Thursday, July 6, 1775. J 

"The order of the day being read, the same was taken 
into consideration, and after some deliberation it was unani- 
mously, — ■ 

" '1. Resolved, That this Province will adopt and carry 
into execution all and singular the measures and recom- 
mendations of the late Continental Congress. 

" ' 2. Resolved in particular. That we, in behalf of ourselves 
and our constituents, do adopt and approve of the American 
Declaration or Bill of Rights pubhshed by the late Continen- 
tal Congress, and also of their several resolves made in con- 
sequence of some infractions thereof. 

" ' 3. That from and after this day we will not receive into 
this Province any goods, wares, or merchandise shipped from 
Great Britain or Ireland ; or from any other place any such 
goods, wares, or merchandise as shall have been exported to 
Great Britain or Ireland; nor shall we import any East 
India tea from any part of the world, nor any molasses, 
syrups, paneles, coffee, or pimento from the British planta- 
tions or from Dominica, nor wines from Madeira or the 
Western Islands, nor foreign indigo. 

" ' 4. That we will neither import nor purchase any slaves 
imported from Africa, or elsewhere, after this day. 

" ' 5. As a non-consumption agreement strictly adhered to 
will be an effectual security for the observation of the non- 
importation, we as above solemnly agree and associate that 
from this day we will not purchase or use any tea imported 
on account of the East India Company, or any oti which a 
duty hath or shall be paid ; and we will not purchase or use 
any East India tea whatever, nor wiU we, nor shall any per- 
son for or under us, purchase any of these goods, wares, or 
merchandise we have agreed not to import, which we shall 
know or have cause to suspect were imported after this day. 

" ' 6. The earnest desire we have, not to injure our fellow- 
subjects in Great Britain and Ireland and the West Indies, 
induces us to suspend a non-exportation until the tenth day 
of September, 1775, at wliich time, if the acts and parts of 
acts of the British Parliament hereinafter mentioned are not 
repealed, we will n#t directly or indirectly export any mer- 
chandise or commodity whatever to Great Britain or Ire- 
land or tlie West Indies, except i-ice to Europe. 

" ' 7. Such as are merchants, and use the British and Irish 



H-iS THE BTRTn OV" THE HEPUBLIO. 

trado, will give orders as soon as poi^sible to their factors, 
ac;ents, and correspondents in Great Britain and Ireland not 
to ship any goods to them on nnj pretence whatever, as they 
cannot "be received in this Province; and if any merchant 
residing in Great Britam or Ireland shall directly or indi- 
rcctlj'- ship any goods, wares, or merchandise for America in 
order to break the said non-importation agreement or in 
any manner contravene the same, on such unworthy con- 
duct being well attested, it ought to be made public ; and on 
the same being so done, we will not from thenceforth have 
any commercial connections with such merchant. 

'' ' 8. Tliat such as are owners of vessels will give positive 
orders to their captains or masters not to receive on boai-d 
their vessels any goods prohibited by the said non-importa- 
tion agreement, on pain of immediate dismission from their 

service.' 

" Monday, July 10, 1775. 

" The following resolves were imanimously entered into: 

" ' Whereas, By the unrelenting fury of a despotic Minis- 
try, with a view to enforce the most oppressive acts of a venal 
and coiTupt Parliament, an army of mercena,ries, under an 
unfeeling connnander, has actually begun a civil war in 
America; and whereas the apparent iniquity and cruelty of 
these destructive measures have however had this good 
effect, to unite men of all ranks in the common cause; and 
whereas, to consult on means of safety and the method of 
obtaining redress, the good people of this Province of Geor- 
gia have thought proper to appoint a Provincial Congress, — 
the delegates met at said Congress, now assembled from 
every part of the Province, besides adopting the resolutions 
of the late Continental Congress, find it prudent to enter 
into such other resolutions as may best express their own 
sense, and the sense of their constituents, on the present un- 
happy situation of things; and therefore thought fit and nec- 
essary to resolve as follows, viz, : 

" 'Resolved, That we Avere born free, and are entitled to 
all the natural rights of mankind. 

" ' Resoh-ed, That by birth or incorporation we are all 
Britons; and whatever Britons may claim as their birth- 
rights, is also ours. 

' ' ' Resolved , That in the British empire, to which we belong, 
the Constitution is superior to every man or set of men 
whatever; and that it is a crime of the deepest dye, in any 
instance, to impair or take it away, or deprive the meanest 
subject of its benefits. 

" 'Res<)lv(>d, That in that part of the American continent 
whifh we inhabit v/as originally granted by the Crown and 
the Ciiai-ter from Cbark-s the Second, and exj)rcssly makes 
Its C«)nstitutional dc])endence on the Crown only. 
. '" Resolved, That those who would now subject all Amer- 



TEE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIG. 349 

ica, or this Province, to dependency on the Crown and Par- 
liament, are guilty of a very dangerous innovation, which 
in time will appear as injurious to the Crown as it is incon- 
sistent with the liberty of the American subject. 

"'Resolved, That by the law of nature and the British 
Constitution, no man can legally be deprived of his property 
without his consent, given by hhnself or his representatives. 

" 'Resolved, That the acts of the British Parliament for 
raising a perpetual revenue on the Americans by laying a 
tax on them without their consent and contrary to their 
protestations, are diametrically opposite to every idea of 
property, to the spirit of the Constitution, and at one stroke 
deprives this vast continent of all liberty and property, and 
as such must be detested by every well-wisher to Great 
Britain and America. 

' ' ' Resolved, That the subsequent laws made with a view 
to enforce these acts, viz, — the Boston Port Bill, the altera- 
tion of their Charter, the act to carry bej^ond sea for trial, 
and (what refines upon any species of cruelty) the Fishery 
Bill, — are of such a complexion that we can say nothing 
about them for want of woixls to express our abhorrence 
and detestation. 

" 'Resolved, That the loyalty, patience, and prudence of 
the inhabitants of New England, under their unparalelled 
pressures, having been construed into a timidity and dread 
of regular troops, a civil war in support of acts extremely 
oppressive in themselves hath actually been begun, and 
that there is too much reason to believe that plans have 
been in agitation big with everything horrible to other 
Provinces — plans as rash, barbarous, and destructive as the 
cause which they were intended to serve. 

' ' ' Resolved, That in these times of extreme danger, our 
Asseinbly not being permitted to sit, we must either have 
been a people without all thought or counsel, or have assem- 
bled as we now are in Provincial Congress, to consult upon 
measures which, under God, may prove the means of a per- 
petual union with the mother-country and tend to the 
honor, freedom, and safety of both. 

" ' Resolved, That the Province bears all true allegiance to 
our own rightful sovereign. King George the Third, aiid 
always will and ought to bear it, agreeable to the Constitu- 
tion of Great Britain, by virtue of which only the King is 
now our sovereign, and which equally bind, Majesty and 
subjects. 

" ' Resolved, That we are truly sensible how much our hap- 
piness and safety depend on a Constitutional connection 
with Great Britain ; and tliat nothing but the being deprived 
of the privileges and natural rights of Britons could ever 
make the thought of a separation otherwise than intol- 
erable. 



350 THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIG. 

" 'Itcsolvcd, That in case his Majesty or his successors 
shall at any time hereafter make any requisition to the good 
people of this Province by his representative, it will be just 
and right that such sums should be granted as the nature of 
the ser^'ice may require and the ability and situation of 
this Province will admit of. 

" ' Resolved, That tliis Province join with all the Provinces 
in America, now met by Delegates in Continental Congress, 
and tliat John Houston and Archibald Bullock, Esquires, 
the Rev. Dr. Zubly, Lyman Hall, and Noble Wimberly 
Jones, Esquires, be the Delegates from this Province, and 
that any three constitute a quorum for that purpose. 

" ' Resolved, That a committee be appointed whose duty it 
shall be to see that the resolutions of the Continental and 
Provincial Congresses be duly observed; and that every per- 
son who shall act in opposition thereto shall have his name 
transmitted to the Continental Congress and his misdeeds 
published in every American i^aijer. " 

Temporary Constitution of Georgia. 
" Colony of Geortjia : 

" Whereas, The unwise and iniquitous system of adminis- 
tration obstinately persisted in by the British Parliament 
and Ministry, against the good people of America, hath at 
length driven the latter to take up arms, as their last re- 
source, for the preservation of their rights and liberties 
which God and the Constitution gave them ; 

" And whereas. An armed force, with hostile intentions 
against the people of this Province, having lately arrived at 
Cockspur, his Excellence Sir James Wright, Baronet, the 
King's Governor of Georgia, in aid of the views of Adminis- 
tration, and with a design to add to those inconveniences 
which necessarily flow from a state of confusion, suddenly 
and unexpectedly withdrew himself from his government, 
carrying off the great seal of the Province Avith him ; 

"And whereas in consequence of this and other events, 
doubts have arisen with the several magistrates how far they 
are authorized to act under their former appointments, and 
the greatest part of them have absolutely refused to do so, 
whereby all judicial powers are become totally suspended, 
to the great danger of persons and property : 

" 1st. That there shall be a President and Commander-in- 
Chief appointed by ballot in this Congress for six months, 
or during the time above specified. 

"2d. That there shall in like manner, and for the like 
time, be also a Council of Safetv, consisting ofgthirteen per- 
sons (besides the five Delegates to the general Congress), 
appomted to act in the nature of a Privy Council to the said 
president or conuuander in-chief. 

"3d. That the President tihall be invested with all the 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 351 

executive powers of Government, not inconsistent with what 
is hereafter mentioned, but shall be bound to consult and 
follow the advice of the said Council in all cases whatso- 
ever ; and any seven of the said Council shall be a quorum, 
for the liurpose of advising. 

"4th. That all the laws, whether common or statute, and 
the acts of Assembly which have formerly been acknowl- 
edged to bo of force in this Province, and which do not in- 
terfere with the proceedings of the Continental or our Pro- 
vincial Congresses, and also all and singular the resolves 
and recommendations of the said Continental and Provin- 
cial Congresses, shall be of full force, validity, and effect, 
until otherwise ordered. 

" 5th. That there shall be a chief -justice, and two assistant 
judges, an attorney-general, a provost-marshal, and clerk 
of the Court of Sessions appointed by ballot to serve dm-ing 
the pleasure of the Congress. The Court of Sessions or Oyer 
and Terminer shall be opened and held on the second Tues- 
day in June and December, and the former rules and meth- 
od of proceeding, as nearly as may be, shall be observed in 
summoning of juries, and all other cases whatever. 

" 6th. That the president or commander-in-chief, with the 
advice of the Council as before mentioned, shall appoint 
magistrates to act during pleasure in the several parishes 
throughout this Province; and such magistrates shall con- 
foi*m themselves as nearly as may be to the old-established 
form and methods of proceeding. 

"• 7th. That all legislative powers shall be reserved to the 
Congress; and no person Avho holds any place of profit, 
civil or military, shall be eligible as a member, either of the 
Congress or Council of Safety." 

Georgia Council of Safety. 

"At a meeting of the Council of Safety, 30th April, 1776, 
Present: John Wereat, Ben jamin Andrews, George Walton, 
John Girardeau, Samuel Salters, Jonathan Bryan, Daniel 
Roberts, — 

"Resolved, That the following address be presented to 
his Excellency the president; and that Messrs. Wereat and 
Roberts do wait on his Excellency to know when he will be 
pleased to receive the same : 

" 'To Jiis Excellency Archibald Bullock, Kscpdrc, President and C'oimnander-ui- 
cldcf of tlie Provhice of Oeonjia : 

"'The address of the Council of Safety for the said 
Province : 

" ' May it please your Excellency: The long session of 
the late Congress, together with the season of the year, called 
particularly for a speedy recess ; and the House having ad- 
journed while you were out of town, it becomes more par- 



352 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUDLIC. 

ticularly necessary for us to address your Excellency. All 
therefore, with unfeigned confidence and regard, beg leave to 
congratulate, not only your Excellency on your appoint- 
ment to, but your country on your acceptance of, the su- 
preme connnond in this Province. 

"'It would be needless and tedious to recount the vari- 
ous, and yet nmltiplying oppressions, which have driven the 
people of this Province to erect that government which they 
liave called upon you to see executed : suffice it then to de- 
clare that it was only an alternative of anarchy and misery, 
and by conseqiience, the effect of dire necessity. 

"'Your Excellency will know that it was the endeavor 
of the Congress to stop every avenue of vice and oppression 
lest the infant virtue of a still more infant Province might 
in time rankle into corruption ; and we doubt not that by 
your Excellency's exertions all the resolutions made or 
adopted by Congress will be enforced with firmness without 
any regard to any individual or any set of men ; for no gov- 
ernment can be said to be estabhshed while any part of the 
community refuses submission to its authority. In the dis- 
charge of this arduous and important task your Excellency 
may rely on our constant and best endeavors to assist and 
support you. ' 

" Messre. John Wereat and Daniel Roberts waited on the 
president, who informed them that he would be ready to 
receive tlieii* address on to-morrow morning at nine o'clock.' 

"May 1, 1776. 

"The board waited on his Excellency the president with 
their address, to which he was jalcased to give the following 
answer : 

" ' To the Honourable the Members of tlie Council of Safety of live Province of 
O'corf/ia : 

" 'Honourable Gentlemen: I am much obliged to you 
for yoiu' kind expressions of congratulation on my appoint- 
ment to the supreme command of this Colony. 
"'When I reflect from whence the appointment is de- 
rived.— that of the free and uncorrupt suffrages of my fel- 
low-citizens,— it cannot fail to stimulate me to the most 
vigorous exertions in the discharge of the important duties 
to which I am called by our Provincial Congress. While I 
have the advice and assistance of gentlemen of knov»'n in- 
tegrity and abilities, I doubt not but I shall be enabled to 
enforce and carry into execution every resolve and law of 
Congress. And as far as lies with me, my country may de- 
pend I will with a becoming firmness and the grcatet:t im- 
partiality, always endeavour to cause justice in mercy to 
be executed. 

" ' Archibald Bullock.' " 



THE BIIITU OF THE liEPUBLW. 353 

" WlLLIAMSBniiG, Va j 

Juno 15, 1776. \ 

"This day arrived in town from Georgia, on his way to 
the general Congress, George Walton, Esq., one of the Dele- 
gates from that Province; also Lieutenants Walton and 
Pannell on the recruiting service. By these gentlemen we 
learn that the Constitution of Georgia have authorized their 
Delegates hi Congress to concur in any scheme which may 
be proposed for the benefit of the United Colonies, even to a 
total separation from Great Britain, and that in the mean- 
while a form of government had been established in the 
Provmce." 



CHAPTER VIII. 

The Continental Congress was a popular convention, not 
differently constituted from the party conventions of the 
present day. It is true that the Delegates from some of the 
Colonies were authorized or elected by the General As- 
semblies; but others were chosen by popular meetings or 
conventions. Even those who were sent up by the Assem- 
blies could be clothed with no legal authority, for the reason 
that there was no authority given in the Colonial Charters 
tor organizing a federal legislature. 

It is also true that it was no part of the pohcy of the Colo- 
nies to confer legislative authority upon the Federal Congress ; 
and such authority was never given until the Constitution 
was adopted. The Congress could declare war, raise armies, 
appoint commanders, and even declare independence. It 
could declare what revenues were necessary to support and 
equip the armies, and how much should be contributed by 
each Colony; but it could not levy and collect taxes in any 
form. It could not pass a tariff act of duties on imported 
goods; nor impose direct taxes; nor establish a system of 
excise laws, or taxes upon consumption. And in the want 
of this power of taxation, it wanted everything essential to 
a government. Nothing but the patriotic devotion of the 
people to the common cause of liberty gave any strength to 
this voluntary system; and nothing else gave any force to 
the ordinances and resolutions of the Congress. No authori- 
ty to enact laws was ever asserted or claimed by the Con- 
gress. 

In November, 1777, after the revolted Colonies had become 
States, an effort was made to give legahty to tlie Congress 
by the adoption of Articles of Confederation. But the new 
Slates wore still too tenacious of their individual sovereign- 
ty to part with the power of t-axation. The result was that 
the "Congress of the Confederation" remained as weak as 
the ' Contmental Congress" had been. The Ai-ticles, indeed 



354 THE BIIiTII OF THE HE PUBLIC. 

were not adopted or ratified by all tlie States, and put in 
force until IMarch, 17S1, only eight mouths before the last 
battle for nidi'pendence was fought, at Yorktown. It would 
be difficult to point to a single clause or section of the 
Articles which conferred any additional power upon the 
Congress which had not been exercised from 1775 forward. 
The Articles of Confederation are as follows : 

ARTICLES OP CONFEDERATION AND PERPETUAL UNION BETWEEN 
THE STATES. 

The following have been critically compared with the 
origuial Articles of Confederation in the Department of 
State, and found to conform minutely to them in text, let- 
ter, and punctuation. It may therefore be relied upon as a 
true copy :* 

"TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL 
COME. WE THE UNDERSIGNED DELEGATES OF THE 
STATES AFFIXED TO OUR NAMES, SEND GREETING. 
— Whereas the Delegates of the United States of America in 
Congress assembled did on the 15th day of November in the 
year of our Lord 1777, and in the Second Year of the Inde- 
pendence of America agree to certain articles of Confedera- 
tion and perpetual Union between the Scates of New Hamp- 
sliire. Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island and Providence 
Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl- 
vania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Noi-th-Cnrolina, South- 
Corolina, and Georgia, in the words following, viz. 

"ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION AND PERPET- 
UAL UNION BETWEEN THE STATES OF NEW-HAMP- 
SHIRE. MASSACHUSETTS-BAY, RHODE-ISLAND AND 
PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS, CONNECTICUT, NEW- 
YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, 
MARYLAND. VIRGINIA, NORTH-CAROLINA, SOUTH- 
CAROLINA, AND GEORGIA. 

"ARTICLE I. The Stile of this Confederacy shall be 
' The United States of America.' 

" ARTICLE II. Each State retains its sovereignty, free- 
dom and indopendtnice, and every Power, Jurisdicticm and 
right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated 
to the United States, in Congress assembled. 

"ARTICLE HI. The said States hei*eby severally enter 
into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their 
common defence, the security of their Liberties, and their 
nnitual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist 
each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made 
upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereign- 
ty, trade, or any other pretence whatever. 

" ARTICLE IV. The better to secure and perpetuate 
mutual fi-ienlship and intercourse among the people of the 
dilloreut States in this union, the fi'ee inhabitants of each of 

♦Ilickoy's Constitution. 



THE BIRTJI OF THE REPUBLIC. 355 

these states, paupers, vagabonds, and fiigutives from Justice 
excepted, shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities 
of free citizens in the several States ; and the people of each 
state shaU have free ingress and regress to and froju any 
other State, and shall enjoy therein all the privileges of 
trade and commerce, subject to the same duties, impositions 
and restrictions as the inhabitants thereof respectively, 
provided that such restrictions shall not extend so far as to 
prevent tbe removal of property imported into any State, 
to any other state of which the Owner is an inhabitant; 
provided also that no imposition, duties or restriction shall 
be laid by any state, on the property of the United States or 
either of thern. a 

" If any person guilty of, or charged with treason, felony, 
or other high misdemeanor in any State, shall flee from 
Justice, and be found in any of the United States, he shall 
upon demand of the Governor or executive power, of the 
State from which he fled, be delivered up and removed to 
the State having jurisdiction of his offence. 

" Full faith and credit shall be given in each of these 
States to the records, acts and judicial proceedings of the 
courts and magistrates of every other state. 

"ARTICLE V. For the more convenient management 
of the general interest of the United States, delegates shall 
be annually appointed in such manner as the legislature of 
each State shall direct, to meet in Congress on the first 
Monday in November, in every year, with a power reserved 
to each State, to recall its delegates, or any of them, at any 
tmie within the year, and to send others in their stead, for 
the retnainder of the Year. 

' ' No State shall be represented in Congress by less than 
two, nor by more than seven members ; and no person shall 
be capable of being a delegate for more than three years in 
any term of six years; nor shall any person, being a dele- 
gate, be capable of holding any office under the United 
States, for which he, or another for his benefit receives any 
salary, fees or emolument of any kind. 

"Each State shall maintain its own delegates in any 
meeting of the States, and Avhile they act as members of the 
committee of the States. 

"In determining questions in the United States, in Con- 
gress asseinbled, each State shall have one vote. 

" Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be 
impeached or questioned in any court, or place out of Con- 
gress, and the members of Congress shall be protected in 
their pei'sons from arrests and imprisonments, during the 
time of their going to and froin, and attendance on Congress, 
except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace. 

"ARTICLE VI. No State without the consent of the 
United States in Congress assembled, shall send any embassy 



350 THE BTRTir OF THE REPTIBTAC. 

to, or receive an j embassy from, or enter into any confer- 
ence, agreement, alliance or treaty with any King, jDrince or 
State; nor shall any person holding any office of profit or 
trust under the United States, or any of them, accept of any 
present, emolument, oflice or title of any kind whatever 
from any king, prince or foreign State; nor shall the United 
States in congress assembled, or any of them, grant any 
title of nobility. 

"No two or more States shall enter into any treaty, Con- 
federation or alliance whatever between them without the 
consent of the United States in congress assembled, sj>ecify- 
ing accurately the purposes for which the same is to be 
entered into, and how long it shall continue. 

" Iso State shall laj^ any imposts or duties, which may in- 
terfere with any stipulations in treaties, entered into by the 
United States in Congress assembled, with any king, prince 
or state, in pursuance of any treaties already proposed by 
Congress, to the courts of France and Spain. 

"No vessel of war shall bo kept up in time of peace by 
any State, except such number only, as shall be deemed 
necessary by the United States in Congress assembled, for 
the defence of such State, or its trade; nor shall any body of 
forces be kept up by any State, in time of peace, except such 
number only, as in the judgment of the United States, in 
Congress assembled, shall be deemed requisite to garrison 
the forts necessary for the defence of such State ; but every 
State shall always keep up a well regulated and disciplined 
militia, sufficiently armed and accoutred, and shall provide 
and have constantly ready for use, in public stores, a due 
number of field pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of 
ai'ms, ammunition and camp equipage. 

" No State shall engage in any war without the consent of 
the United States in Congress assembled, unless such State 
be actually invaded by enemies, or shaU have received cer- 
tain advice of a resolution being formed by some nation of 
Indians to invade such State, and the danger is so imminent 
as not to admit of a delay, till the United St;^tes in Congress 
assembled can be consulted : nor shall any State grant com- 
missions to any ships or vessels of war, nor letters of marquo 
or reprisal, except it be after a declaration of war by the 
United States in Congress assembled, and then only against 
the kingdom or State and the subjects thereof, against which 
war has been so declared, and under such regulations as 
shall be established by the United States in Congress as- 
sembled, unless such State bo infested by pirates, in which 
case vessels of war may be fitted out for that occasion, and 
kei)t so long as the danger shall continue, or until the 
Umted States in Congress assembled shall detei-mine other- 
wise. 

"ARTICLE VII. When land-forces are raised by any State 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC 357 

for the common defence, all oflBcers of or under the rank of 
Colonel, shall be appomted by the legislature of each State 
respectively by whom such forces sliall be raised, or in such 
manner as such State shall direct, and all vacancies shall be 
filled up by the State which first made the appointment. 

" ARTICLE VIII. AU charges of war, and all other ex- 
penses that shall be incurred for the common defence or 
general welfare, and allowed by the United States in Con- 
gress assembled, shall be defrayed out of a common treasury, 
^vhich shall be supplied by the several States, in proportion 
to the value of all land within each State, granted to or sur- 
veyed for any person, as such land and the buildings and 
improvements thereon shall be estimated according to such 
mode as the United States in Congress assembled, shall from 
time to time, direct and appoint. The taxes for paying that 
proportion shall be laid and levied by the authority and 
direction of the legislatures of the several States within 
the time agreed upon by the United States in Congress as- 
sembled. 

"ARTICLE IX. The United States in Congress assembled, 
shall have the sole and exclusive right and power of deter- 
mining on peace and war, except in the cases mentioned in 
the 6th article — of sending and receiving aaibassadors — 
entering into treaties and alliances, provided that no treaty 
of commerce shall be made, whereby the legislative power 
of the respective States shall be restrained from imjiosing 
such imposts and duties on foreigners, as their own people 
are subjected to, or from prohibiting the exportation or im- 
portation of any species of goods or commodities whatsoever 
— of establishing rules for deciding in all cases, what captures 
on land or water shall be legal, and in what manner prizes 
taken by land or naval forces in the service of the United 
States shall be divided or appropriated — of granting letters 
of marque and reprisal in times of peace — appointing courts 
for the trial of piracies and felonies committed on the high 
seas and establishing courts for receiving and determining 
finally appeals in all cases of captures provided that no 
member of Congress shall be appointed a judge of any of the 
said courts. 

' ' The United States in Congress assembled shall also be 
the last I'esort on appeal in all disputes and differences now 
subsisting or that hereafter may arise between two or more 
States concerning boundary, jurisdiction, or any other cause 
whatever; which authority shall always be exercised in the 
manner following. Whenever the legislative or executive 
authority or lawful agent of any State in controversy with 
another shall present a petition to Congress, stating the 
matter in cjuestion and praying for a hearing, notice thereof 
shall be given by order of Congress to the legislative or ex- 
ecutive authority of the other State in controversy, and a 



358 THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIG. 

day assigned for the appearance of the parties by their law- 
ful agents, who shall then be directed to appoint by joint 
consent, commissioners or judges to constitute a court for 
hearing and determining the matter in question : but if they 
cannot agree, Congress shall name three persons out of each 
of the United States, and from the list of such persons each 
party shall alternately strike out one, the petitioners begin- 
ning, until the number shall be reduced to thirteen; and 
from that number not less than seven, nor more than nine 
names as Congress shall direct, shall in the presence of Con- 
gress be draAvn out by lot, and the persons whose names 
shall be so drawn or any five of them, shall be commissioners 
or judges, to hear and finally determine the controversy, so 
always as a major part of the judges who shall hear the 
cause shall agree in the determination: and if either party 
shall neglect to attend at the day appointed, without show- 
ing reasons, which Congress shall judge sufficient, or being 
present shall refuse to strike, the Congress shall proceed to 
nominate thi'ee persons out of each State, and the secretary 
of Congi'ess shall strike in behalf of such party absent or re- 
fusing; and the judgment and sentence of the court to be 
appointed, in the manner before prescribed, shall be final 
and conclusive ; and if any of the parties shall refuse to sub- 
mit to the authority of such court, or to appear or defend 
their claim or cause, the court shall nevertheless proceed to 
pronounce sentence, or judgment, Avhich shall in like man- 
ner be final and decisive, the judgment or sentence and other 
proceedings being in either case transmitted to Congress, 
and lodged among the acts of Congress for the security of 
the parties concerned : provided that every commissioner be- 
fore he sits in judgment, shall take an oath to be admin- 
istered by one of the judges of the Supreme or Superior 
Cuurt of the State, where the cause shall be tried, ' well and 
truly to hear and determine the matter in question, accord- 
ing to the best of his judgment, without favour, affection or 
hope of reward :' provided also that no State shall be deprived 
of territory for the benefit of the United States. 

"All coutrovei-sies concerning the private right of soil 
claimed under different grants of two or more States, whose 
jurisdictions as they may respect such lands, and the States 
which passed such grants are adjusted, the said grants or 
either of them being at the same time claimed to have 
originated antecedent to such settlement of jurisdiction, 
shall on the petition of either party to the Congress of the 
United States, be finally determined as near as may be in 
the same manner as is before prescribed for deciding dis- 
putes respecting the territorial jurisdiction between different 
States. 

" The United States in Congi-ess assembled shall also have 
the Bole and exclusive right and power of regulating the 



TEE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 359 

alloy and value of coin struck by their own authority, or by 
that of the respective States— fixing the standard of weights 
and measures througliout the United States— regulating the 
trade and managing all affairs with the Indians, not mem- 
bers of any of the States, provided that the legislative right 
of any state within its own limits be not infringed or vio- 
lated—establishing or regulating post-offices from one State 
to another, throughout all the United States, and exacting 
such postage on the papers passing thro' the same as 
may be requisite to defray the expenses of the said office- 
appointing all officers of the land forces, in the service of 
the United States, excepting regimental officers— appointing 
all the officers of the naval forces, and commissioning all 
officers whatever in the service of the United States— mak- 
ing rules for the government and regulation of the said land 
and naval forces, and directing their operations. 

"The United States in Congress assembled shall have 
authority to appoint a committee, to sit in the recess of 
Congress, to be denominated 'A Committee of the States,' 
and to consist of one delegate from each State; and to ap- 
point such other committees and civil officers as may be 
necessary for managing the general affairs of the United 
States under their direction— to appoint one of their number 
to preside, provided that no person be allowed to serve in 
the office of President more than one year in any term of 
three years ; to ascertain the necessary sums of Money to be 
raised for the service of the United States, and to appropri- 
ate and apply the same for defraying the public expenses— 
to borrow money, or emit bills on the credit of the United 
States, transmitting every half year to the respective States 
an account of the sums of money so borrowed or emitted— 
to build and equip a navy— to agree upon the number of 
land forces, and to make requisitions from each State for 
its quota, in proportion to the number of white inhabitants 
in such State ; which requisition shall be binding, and there- 
upon the legislature of each State shall appoint the regimen- 
tal officers, raise the men and cloath, arm and equip them 
in a soldier like manner, at the expense of the United States ; 
and the ofiicers and men so cloathed, armed and equipped 
shall march to the place appointed, and within the time 
agreed on by the United States in Congress assembled : But 
if the United States in Congress assembled shall, on con- 
sideration of circumstances judge i3ro])er that any State 
sliould not raise men, or should raise a -smaller number than 
its quota, and that any other State should raise a greater num- 
ber of men than the quota thereof, such extra number shall 
be raised, officered, cloathed, armed, and equipped in the 
same manner as the quota of such State, unless the legisla- 
ture of such State shall judge that such extra number can- 
ziot be safely spared out of the same, in which case they 



360 TUB BinTII OF THE llEPUBLIO. 

shall raise, officer, cloatli, arm, and equip as many of such 
extra number as they judge can be safely spai-ed. And the 
officers and men so cloathed, ai'med and equipped, shall 
march to the place appointed, and within the time agreed 
on by the United States in Congress assembled. 

"The United States in Congress assembled shall never 
engage in a war, nor grant letters of marque and reprisal in 
time of peace, nor enter into ciny treaties or alliances, nor 
coin money, nor regulate the value thereof, nor ascertain 
the sums and expenses necessary for the defence and wel- 
fare of the United States, or any of them, nor emit bills, nor 
borrow money on the credit of the United States, nor ap- 
pro]n'iate money, nor agree upon the number of vessels of 
war, to be built or purchased, or tlie number of land or sea 
forces to be raised, nor appoint a Commander-in-Chief of the 
Army or Navy, unless nine States assent to the same : nor 
shall a question on any other point, except for adjourning 
from day to day be determined, unless by the votes of a 
majority of the United States in Congress assembled. 

" The Congress of the United States shall have power to ad- 
journ to any time within the year, and to any place within 
the United States, so that no period of adjournment be for 
a longer duration than the space of six months, and shall 
publish the Journal of their proceedings monthly, except 
such parts thereof relating to treaties, alliances or military 
oi)ei-ations, as in their judgment require secrecy; and the 
yeas and nays of the delegates of each State on anv question 
shall be entered on the Journal, when it is desired by any 
delegate; and the delegates of a State, or any of them, at 
his or their request shall be furnished with a transcript of 
the said Journal, except such parts as are above excepted, 
to by before the legislature of the several States. 

" ARTICLE X. The Committee of the States, or any nine 
of them, shall be authorized to execute, in the recess of Con- 
press, such of the powei-s of Congress as the United States 
in Congi-ess assembled, by the consent of nine States, shall 
from time to time think expedient to vest them with ; pro- 
vided that no power be delegated to tb.e said committee, for 
the exercise of which, by the Articles of Confederation, the 
voice of nme States in the Congress of the United States as- 
sembled IS requisite. 

''A^'^JCLE XI. Canada acceding to this Confederation, 
and joining m tlie measures of the United States, shaU be 
admittcMi mto, and entitled to aJl the advantages of this 
union : Ijut no other Colony shall be admitted into the same, 
" - fi/'^^VriT'^^^"^^^^^'^'^ ho agreed to bv nine States. 

AKllLLE XII. All bills of credit emitted, monies bor- 
rowed and debts contracted by, or under the authority of 
Congi-ess, before the assembling of the United States, in 
pursuance oi the present Confederation, shall be deemed 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 



861 



and considered as a charge against the United States, for 
payment and satisfaction whereof the said United States, 
and the public faith are hereby solemnly pledged. 

"ARTICLE XIII. Every State shall abide by the deter- 
minations of the United States in Congress assembled, on all 
questions which by this Confederation is submitted to them. 
And the articles of this Confederation shall be inviolably 
observed by every State, and the union shall be perpetual ; 
nor shall any alteration at any time hereafter be made in 
any of them; unless such alteration be agreed to in a. Con- 
gi-ess of the United States, and be afterwards confirmed by 
the legislatures of every State. 

"And Whereas it hath pleased the Great Governor of the 
World to incline the hearts of the legislatures we respec- 
tively represent in Congress, to approve of, and to authorize 
us to ratify the said Articles of Confederation and perpetual 
union. Know Ye that we the undersigned delegates, by 
virtue of the power and authority to vis given for that pur- 
pose, do by these presents, in the name and in behalf of our 
respective constituents, fully and entirely ratify and confirm 
each and every of the said Articles of Confederation and 
perpetual union, and all and singular the matters and things 
therein contained: And we do further solemnly plight and 
engage the faith of our respective constituents, that they 
shall abide by the determinations of the United States in 
Congress assembled, on all questions, which by the said 
Confederation are submitted to them. And that the articles 
thereof shall be inviolably observed by the States we respec- 
tively represent, and that the union shall be perpetual. In 
witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands in Con- 
gress. Done at Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania 
the 9th day of July, in the year of our Lord, 1778, and in 
the 3d year of the Independence of America. 

{On the part aud 
behalf of the state 
of New Hamp- 
shire, 
f On the part and 
I behalf of the state 
I of Massachusetts- 
I Bay. 

rOn the pnrt and 
1 behalf of the state 
of Rhode Island 
and Providence 
Plantations. 
On the part and 
behalf of the state 
of Connecticut. 
On the part and 
behalf of the state 
of New- York, 



' ' Josiah Bartlett, 



John Hancock, 
Samuel Adams, 
Elbridge Gerry, 



William Ellery, 
Henry Marchaut, 

Roger Sherman, 
Samuel Huntington, 
Oliver Wolcott, 

Jas. Duane, 

Fras. Lewis, 



Francis Dana, 
James Lovell, 
Samuel Holten 



John Collins 



Titiis Hosmer, 
Andrew Adam 

William Dvier, 
Gouvr. Morris 



362 



THE BIIiTII OF THE BEPTIBLIO. 



Jno. Witherspoon, 



Robt. ^Morris, 
Dmiifl KobonU'au, 
Jon "a. IJayard Smith, 
Tho. ^Mlvran, 

Feb. 12, 1779. 
Joliu DiukiiiLun, 

May 5, 1779, 

John Hanson, 
March Isl. 1781, 

Richard ITcnry Lee, 
Jolin IJaiii-^tcr, 
Thomas Adams, 



Natbl. Scuddcr 



William Cliugan, 
Joseph Reed, 
22d July, 1778 

Nicholas Van Dyke 



Daniel Carroll, 
March 1st, 1781, 



'On the part and 

behalf of the state 

of New- Jersey, 

November 26th, 

t 1778. 

i On the part and 
} behalf of the slate 
( of Pennsylvania. 

{On the part and 
behalf of the state 
of Delaware. 

( On the part and 
,' behalf of the state 



John Penn, 
July 1st, 1 



Jno. ITarvie, 

Francis Liglitfoot Lee 

Corns ITarnett, 
Jno. Williams 



Henry Laurens, Rieh'd Hntson, 

T^'"'xr\ ""■^' Drayton, ^ Heyward, jun., 
Jno. Matthews, •' > J • 

Jno. Walton, Edward Telfair, 

24th July, 1778, Edw'd Lang worthy, 



( of Maryland. 
( On the part and 
\ bclialf of the state 
( of Virginia. 
[ On the i)art and 
J behalf of the state 
1 of North Caroli- 
[na. 

{On the part and 
l)ehalf of the state 
of South Caroli- 
na. 
i On the part and 
} behalf of the state 
( of Georgia." 

The reader of American history will recall the many and 
often fruitless appeals of the Congress, and of Washington 
as the head of the army, upon the States, for compliance with 
the recpiisitions which were made upon them. Great losses 
of opportunity w^ere incurred, and failures were caused, by 
the tardiness or neglect of the States to pay their quotas of 
money; and in many cases nothing but the immediate 
danger of inva.sion by the enemy could spur the laggard 
Assemblies, and induce them to impose and collect the 
necessary taxes. 

The liislorical fact that independence was achieved by the 
force of patriotic fervor, unsupported by authority in the 
Federal government, is eminently honorable to the Amer- 
ican people. Rut it soon became manifest, when the strug- 
gle was over, that the voluntary principle in the Federal 
head was not equal to the task of paying the national debt, 
|irovi(liiig pensions for the soldiers, nor even of holding-the 
States under a common government, which was acknowl- 
edged to be essential to the maintenance of independence. 
All .attempts to confer the taxing power uniin the Congress 
(luring the war had failed ; but now it had become a ques- 
tion of Ufe or death to the Union, and the Aviseaud able men 
North and South united in common eiforts to form a more 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 363 

perfect union. Slowly the people came to see and acquiesce 
in the necessity. 

Even before the articles went into effect, March 1, 1781, 
their inadequacy to the wants of the Union was perceived; 
and in February of that year, a member of the Congress 
from New Jersey moved that the States be called on to con- 
fer upon that body tlie power to raise revenue by duties on 
imports. This recommendation was adopted, and the States 
one by one acquiesced in it except Rhode Island. The Leg- 
islature of that State refused to confer the power for the 
reasons, — 

First, "That the proposed duty would be unequal in its 
operation, bearing hardest upon the most commercial States, 
and so would press peculiarly hard upon that State, which 
draws its chief su^Dport from commerce." 

Second, "That the recommendation proposes to introduce 
into that and the other States officers unknown and unac- 
countable to them, and so is against the Constitution of the 
State." 

Third objection, "That by gi^anting to Congress a power 
to collect moneys from the commerce of these States indefi- 
nitely as to time and quantity, and for the expenditure of 
which they woidd not be accountable to the States, they 
would become independent of their constituents and sot he 
proposed impost is repugnant to the liberty of the United 
States." 

These objections of Ehode Island to the recommendation 
of Congress were forwarded to that body by the speaker 
of the Assembly ; whereupon Messrs. Alexander Hamilton 
of New York, James Madison of Virginia, and Thomas Fitz- 
simmons of Pennsylvania were appointed a committee to 
take them into consideration. Their report is one of the 
most able and hicid documents of the Revolutionary period. 
It was apYjroved by the Congress. 

Similar resolutions or recommendations to the States were 
adopted by Congress, urging that Congress be invested with 
authority to i-aise revenue for the purpose of restoring and 
maintaining the lost credit of the Union. The resolutions 
were forwarded to the States, accompanied by an address 
prepared by Messrs. Madison, Ellsworth, and Hamilton. 
The reply to the Rhode Island Assembly was from the pen 
of Mr. Hamilton. This address to the States was written by 
Mr. Madison. It concludes with the following memorable 
passage : 

" Let it be remembered, finally, that it has ever been the 
pride and boast of America that the rights for which she 
contended were the rights of human nature. By the bless- 
ings of the Author of these rights, on the m.eans exerted for 
their defence, they have prevailed against all opposition, 
and form the basis of thirteen independent States. No iu- 



3G4 THE BIETH OF THE BEPUBLIO. 

stance lias therefore occurred, nor can any instance be ex- 
pected hereafter to occur, in which the unadulterated forms 
of repubHcan government can pretend to so fair an opportu- 
nity of justitying themselves by their fruits. In this view 
the citiz.'ns of the United States are responsible for the 
greatest trust ever confided to a political society. If jus- 
tice, good faith, honor, gratitude, and all the other qualities 
which ennoble the character of a nation and fulfil the ends 
of government be the fruits of our estabUshments, the cause 
of liberty will acquire a dignity and lustre which it has 
nev<'r yet enjoyed, and an example will be set which cannot 
but have the most favorable influence on the rights of man- 
kind. If, on the other side, our government should be unfor- 
timately blotted with the reverse of these cardinal and es- 
sential virtues, the great cause which we have engaged to 
vindicate will be dishonored and betrayed, the last and 
fairest experiment in favor of the rights of human nature 
will be turned against them, and their patrons and friends 
exposed to be insulted and silenced by the votaries of tyr- 
anny and usurpation." 

Ajpart from the impossibility of raising the necessary rev- 
enue to support the general government and pay the inter- 
est of the public delat, there was the great embarrassment 
of commerce resulting from the conflicting regulations of 
the thirteen States. Great Britain, although consti'ained 
by the pi-essure of circumstances, to concede independence, 
took pleasure in crippling the trade of the republic. 

It became eminently expedient, therefore, for the States 
to concede to Congress the power to regulate commerce ; and 
on the 30th April, 1784, the subject was t^keu up, on the 
report of a committee consisting of Messrs. Gerry of Mas- 
sachusetts, Reed of Pennsylvania, Williamson of North 
Carolina, Chase of Maryland, and Jefferson of Virginia, 
to whom had been referred sundry letters and papers rela- 
tive to commercial matters. Among the complaints, as 
stated in the report as approved by the Congress, was the 
statement that " Already has Great Britain adopted regu- 
lations destructive of our commerce with the West India 
Islands. ... It would be the duty of Congress, as it is their 
wish, to meet the attempts of Great Britain with similar 
restricti(jns on her commerce; but their powers on this head 
are not exphcit, and the propositions made by the legisla- 
tures of the several States render it necessary to take the 
general sense of the Union on this subject. Unless the 
United States, in Congress assembled, shall be vested with 
powers eonqK'tent to the protection of commerce, they can 
never ef>nunand reciprocal advantages in trade; and with- 
out these, onr foreign commerce must decline and event- 
ually be annihilated." 

The Congress therefore resolved, — 



TUE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 365 

"Tliat it be and hereby is recommended to the Legisla- 
tures of the several States, in Congress assembled, to invest 
Congress for the term of fifteen years with power to prohibit 
any goods, wares, or merchandise from being imported into 
or exported from any of the States in vessels belonging to 
or navigated by the subjects of any power with whom these 
States shall not have formed treaties of commerce. 

"Resolved, That it be and it hereby is recommended to 
the Legislatures of the several States to vest the United 
States, in Congress assembled, for the term of fifteen years, 
with the power of prohibiting the subjects of any foreign 
state, kingdom, or empire, unless authorized by treaty, 
fi-om importing into the United States any goods, wares, or 
merchandise which are not the produce or manufacture of 
the dominions of the sovereign whose subjects they are. 

"Provided, That to all acts of the United States, in Con- 
gress assembled, in pursuance of the above powers, the as- 
sent of nine States shall be necessary. " 

These propositions of the Congress to the States, Hke those 
asking for power to impose duties on imports, were never 
assented to. 

July 13, 1785, The Congress took into consideration a 
proposition of Mr. Monroe, of Virginia, to vest in that body 
the power to regulate trade ; but past experience suggested 
the propriety of leaving it to the State Legislatures to initiate 
proceedings of the kind. 

February 15, 1786, the subject was again up before the 
Congress, and a committee to whom it was referred— con- 
sisting of Mr, King of Massachusetts, Mr. Pinckney, of 
South Carolina, Mr. Kean of Pennsylvania, Mr. Monroe of 
Virginia, and Mr. Pettit of Pennsj-Ivania — made a report 
setting forth the inefficiency of the confederation ; in which 
it is said that, — 

"In the course of this inquiry, it most clearly appeared 
that the requi.sitions of Congress for eight years past have 
been so irregular in their operation, and so evidently unpro- 
ductive, that a reliance on them in future as a sourse from 
whence moneys are to be drawn to discharge the engage- 
ments of the Confederacy, definite as they are in time and 
amount, would be not less dishonourable to the understand- 
ings of those who entertain such confidence that it would 
be dangerous to the welfare and peace of the Union, The 
committee are therefore seriously impressed with the indis- 
pensable obligation that Congress are under, of representing 
to the immediate and impartial consideration of the several 
States the utter impossibility of maintaining and preserving 
the faith of the Federal Government by temporary requisi- 
tions on the States, and the consequent necessity of an early 
and complete accession of all the States to the revenue sys- 
tem of the ISth of April, 1783," 



366 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

It was resolved, by Conp:i'oss, in conformity with this re- 
port, that the system of general revenue recommended on 
the 18th of April, 1783, be again presented to the considera- 
tion of the State Legislatures. 

It was not surprising that the States refused to clothe the 
Congress of the Confederation with the power of taxation, 
and with other attributes of government, in view of the 
radical defects in its organization. It was a fundamental 
principle with the Confederation that each State was the 
ctjual in power and authority with any other, without the 
shglitcst regard to wealth or pr.pulation. Each State, upon 
evi'ry jucasure, was entitled to but one vote, however many 
Delegates they might send to the Congress. They must send 
at least two, and might send seven; but whether two or 
seven, they could cast but one vote. This arrangement 
placed Delaware and Rhode Island on an equality of power 
with Virginia and Massachusetts, or with Pennsj'lvania, 
North Carolina, and New York. The principle was wrong; 
and it is well that the power of taxation was not conferred 
on that condition. It is true that nearly all the States agreed 
to confer the powers asked for, but upon various conditions, 
which rendered then' consent of no avail. 

At length a movement was made in the Virginia Legisla- 
ture which led to the call of a convention with larger pow- 
ers in the remodelling of the Federal system of government. 
On tiie 21st of January, 1786, the House of Delegates of that 
Slate came to the following resolution: 

"Resolved, That Edmund Randolph, James Madison, 
JuuKjr, Walter Jones, Saint George Tucker, Merriwether 
Smith, David Ross, William Ronald, and George Mason, 
Es(piires, be apjtointed commissioners who, or any five of 
whom, shall meet such commissioners as may be appointed 
by the other States in the Union, at a time and place to be 
agreed on. to take into consideration the trade of the United 
States; to examme the relative situations and trade of the 
States ; to consider how far a uniform system in their com- 
mercial regulations may be necessary to their common in- 
terest and tlieir permanent harmony; and to report to the 
several States such an act relative to this great ob iect as, 




., ^ ,, , itely „..,. 

nut to the several States copies of the prececUng resolution, 
\\ It h a cu-cular letter requesting then- concurrence therein 
and pr ' ^ . r^ 




■ y. , , „ - "- . -j'gmia at Annapolis, 

m Maryland, September 11th, of the same year, 1786. 
Ihey were m session only three days. Commissioners 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 367 

were also appointed from the States of New Hampshire, 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and North Carohna; but they 
failed to reach Annapolis in time. Those who met— consist- 
ing of Alexander Hamilton and Egbert Benson, from New 
York; Abram Clarke, William C. Houston, and James 
Schureman, from New Jersey; Tench Coxe, from Pennsyl- 
vania ; George Read, John Dickinson, and Richai'd Bassett, 
from Delaware; and Edmund Randolph, James Madison, Jr., 
and St. George Tucker, from Virginia — agreed upon a report. 
In this unportant document they refrained, as they say, 
from carrying out the original purpose of the meeting by 
proposing specific measures. They do so because of the fail- 
ure of the other States to send delegates; but they venture 
to recommend another meeting of commissioners from all 
the States, with enlai'ged powers. The New Jersey Legisla- 
ture had authorized her commissioners "to consider how 
far an uniform system in their commercial regulations, and 
other important matters, might be necessary to the common 
interest and permanent harmony of the several States." 
This suggestion from New Jersey is made use of, by the au- 
thors of the address, to hint more pointedly at the importance 
of another convention, with enlarged powers, looking to a 
remodelling of the Articles of Confederation. They say: 

" In this persuasion your commissioners submit an opinion, 
that the idea of extending the powers of their deputies to 
other objects than those of commerce, which has been 
adopted by the State of New Jersey, was an improvement 
on the original plan, and will deserve to be incorporated into 
that of a future convention. They are the more naturally 
led to this conclusion, as, in the course of their reflections on 
the subject, they have been induced to think that the power 
of regiilating trade is of such comprehensive extent, and will 
enter so far into the general system of Federal government, 
that to give it efficacy, and to obviate questions and doubts 
concerning its precise nature and Umits, may require a cor- 
respondent adjustment of otherparts of the Federal system." 

The commissioners suggest that the defects of the existing 
system of Federal government might be found to be greater 
and more numerous than was implied in the resolutions of 
the State Legislatures. They therefore propose " that a con- 
vention of deputies from the different States, for the special 
and sole purpose of entering into this investigation, and 
digesting a plan for supplying such defects as may be discov- 
ered to exist," etc. And they propose that the commission- 
ers to be thus appointed by the States shall meet in Phila- 
delphia on the second Monday in May next. 

This address was sent to the Governors of the several 
States, and to the Congress. The latter body, February 21, 
17fi7, took the address into consideration, and came to the 
following conclusion : 



'AGS rni^: birtii of the uefublig. 

" Resolvotl, That, in the opinion of Congress, it is expedient 
that on tht- second Monday in May next, a convention of 
delegates, who shall have been appointed by the several 
States, be held at Philadelphia, for the sole and express pur- 
pose of revising the Articles of Confederation, and reporting 
to Congress and the several Legislatures such alterations 
and provisions therein as shall, when agreed to in Congress 
and confirmed by the States, render the Federal Constitution 
adequate to the exigencies of government and the iweserva- 
tion of the Union." 

A ma j( )iity of the States had acquiesced in the proposition, 
ancl agreed to send delegates to the proposed convention, be- 
fore the plan was approved by Congress. 

The General Assembly of Virginia adopted it, October 16, 
178(5, and decided to send seven commissioners. These w-ere 
eliosen by ballot of the two Houses, December 4th of the 
same year. They were George Washington, Patrick Henry, 
Eilmund Randoiph, John Blair, James Madison, George 
^ilason, and George "Wythe, Escpiires. Mr. Hemy declined 
the appointment, and James ]\IcClurg, Esq., was appointed 
in his place by ihe Governor and Council. 

The Ci>uncil and Assembly of New Jersey, November 23, 
1786, appointed Messrs. David Brearley, William Churchill 
Houston, William Paterson, and John Neilson, Esqs., as 
commi.ssioners to the convention. On the 8th of May fol- 
lowing, tlie Governor, William Livingston, and Abram Clark 
were added to the delegation, and Mr. Neilson's name is 
omitted. On the 5th of June, Jonathan Dayton, Esq., was 
apptjiuted fi-om the same State. 

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsj''!- 
vania, December 30, 1786, appointed seven deputies to the 
convention, as follows: Thomas Mifflin, Robert Morris, 
Geoi-ge Clymer, Jared Ingersoll, Thomas Fitzsimmons, 
James Wilson, and Gouverneur Mori-is, Esqs. Dr. Ben- 
iamin Frankhn was president of the Commonwealth; and 
by a supi>lemental act of March 28, 1787, his name was 
added to the list of deputies. 

The General Assembly of North Carolina, January 6. 17S7, 
pn.ssed an act for the appointment of five delegates to the 
convention, and elected Richard Caswell, the Governor, with 
Alexander Martin, William Richardson Davie, Richard 
Dobbs Spnight, and Willie Jones, Esqs. Governor Cas- 
well declined the appointment, and, by authoritv given by 
the act, he ai)pointe<l William IJlount, Esq.. to fill the va- 
cancy. On tbe third day of April, Governor Caswell ap- 
ponited Hugh Williamson, Esq., in place of Willie Jones, 
dechncd. 

The (ieneral Assemblv of Delaware, Febniary 3. 1787, ap- 
P0Mit<-(l Ge(.rgo Ri-ad, Gunning Bedford, John Dickinson, 
Kicliard 15a.s,sett, and Jacob Broom, Esqs., as deputies to the 
Convention. 



THE BIRTH OF THE llErUBLIG. 369 

The General Assembly of the State of Georj;-ia, February 
10, 1787, appointed William Few, Abraham Baldwin, Wil- 
liam Pierce, George Walton, "Wilham Houston, and Na- 
thaniel Pendleton, Esqs., as commissioners to the Conven- 
tion. 

The General Assembly of the State of New York, Feb- 
ruary 28, 1787, resolved to send thi-ee delegates to the Con- 
vention ; and on March 6th, Messrs. Eobert Yates, John Lan- 
sing, Jr., and Alexander Hamilton, Esqs., were chosen for 
the purpose. 

The Legislature of South Carolina, March 8, 1787, ap- 
pointed John Rutledge, Charles Pinckney, Charles Cotes- 
worth Pinckney, and Pierce Butler, Esqs,, as delegates to 
the Convention. 

The General Court of Massachusetts, March 10, 1787, 
appointed Francis Dana, Elbridge Gerry, Nathaniel Gorham, 
Rufus King, and Caleb Strong, Esqs., as delegates to the 
Convention. 

Tlie State of Connecticut, by an act of the General Assem- 
bly of the second Thursday of May, 1787, appointed WilUam 
Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman, and Oliver Ellsworth, 
Esqs., as delegates to the Convention. 

The Legislature of Maryland, May 20, 1787, appointed 
James McHenry, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Daniel Car- 
roll, John Francis Mercer, and Luther Martin, Esqs., as dele- 
gates to the Convention. 

The Legislature of New Hampshire, June 27, 1787, ap- 
pointed John Langdon, John Pickering, Nicholas Gilman, 
and Benjamin West to be delegates to the Convention. 

In Convention. 

The delegates thus appointed by the several States met in 
Convention in Philadelphia, Monday, May 14, 1787. The^ 
chose George WasMngton, one of the delegates from Vir- 
ginia, as President of the body, and William Jackson, Sec- 
retary. 

The Convention sat from day to day until the 17th of 
September, when, having completed their labors, they sub- 
mitted the Constitution as the result thereof to the Con- 
gress, with the recommendation that it should be submitted 
to a Convention of each State, to be called by the several 
Legislatures, for ratification ; and, — 

" That it is the opinion of this Convention, that, as soon as 
the Conventions of nine States shall have ratified this Con- 
stitution, the United States, in Congress assembled, should fix 
a day on which electors should be appointed by the States 
which shall have ratified the same, and a day on which the 
electors should assemble to vote for President, and the time 
and place for commencing jjroceedings under the Constitu- 
tion ; that after such j)ublication, the electors should be ap- 



07(» THE Bmril OF THE RF.PUBLIG. 

pointed, and the Senators and Representatives elected ; that 
'k> electors sliould meet on the day fixed for the election of 
Pivsideiit and should transmit their votes certified, signed, 
soiled aiid dire<-tei, as the Constitution requires, to the 
Scv!-.'t!u-v of the United States, in Congress assembled; that 
the Stiritoi-s and Representatives should convene at the time 
•ind place assigned: that the Senatoi-s should appoint a 
PivsidiMit of the Senate, for the sole purpose of receiving, 
oiH«nii»'- and countinu' the votes for President; and that, after 
he shaH l.e clioscn, the Congress, together with the Presi- 
tk-nt. should without delay proceed to execute this Consti- 

The Convention, by its president, General Washington, 
niUhvsscd a letter to the president of Congress, in the fol- 
lowing words: 

" In Convention, | 
September 17, 1787.' ) 

"Sir: We have now the honor to submit to the United 
SUitcs. in Congress assembled, that Constitution which has 
appcari'd to us most advisable. 

"The friends of our country have long seen and desired 
that the jjower of making war, peace, and treaties, that of 
levying money and regulating commerce, and the corre- 
spondent executive and judicial authorities should be fully 
and efTectually vested in the general government of the 
Union; but the impropriety of delegating such extensive 
trust to one body of men is evident: hence results the 
ne<-es8ity of a different organization. 

■' It is obviously impracticable, in the Federal Government 
of these States, to secure all rights of independent sov- 
reignity to each, and yet provide for the interest and safety 
of all. Individuals entermg into society must giv^e up a 
share cii liberty to presei'v^e the rest. The magnitude of the 
sacrifice must depend asAvell on situation and circumstances 
as i)n the (jbject to be obtained. It is at all times difficult to 
dniw with precision the line between those rights which must 
be surrendered and those which may be reserved ; and on the 
present occasion this difficulty was increased by a difference 
aniouK the several States as to their situation, extent, habits, 
aii<l [larticuhu' interests. 

" In jUI our deliberations on this subject we kept steadily 
in our view that which appears to us the greatest interest of 
every true American— the consolidation of our Union— in 
which is involved our prosperity, fehcit}', safety, perhaps 
our n:itional existence. This important consideration, seri- 
ously aii<l deejjly impressed on our minds, led each State in 
the Convention to be less rigid on points of inferior magni- 
tude than nii^ht liave been otherwise expected; and thus 
the Constitution which we now present is the result of a 
spirit of amity, and of tiiat mutual deference and conceasiou 



TEE BIRTE OF TEE REPUBLIG. 



371 



which the peculiarity of our political situation rendered in- 
dispensable. 

"That it will meet the full and entire approbation of every 
State is not perhaps to be expected ; but each will doubtless 
consider that, had her interest been alone consulted, the con- 
sequences might have been particularly disagreeable or in- 
jurious to othei's. That it is liable to as few exceptions as 
could reasonably have been expected, we hope and beheve. 
That it may promote the lasting welfare of that country so 
dear to us all, and secure her freedom and happiness, is our 
most ardent wish. 

"With great respect, we have the honor to be, sir, your 
Excellency's most obedient, humble servants. 

"By unanimous order of the Convention. 

" George Washington, President. 
" Ilis Excellency, the President of Congress." 

"On the 28th of September, 1787, the Congress unanimously 
resolved (all the States being present but Rhode Island) to 
transmit the Constitution, with the resolutions and letter of 
the Convention, to the Legislatures of the several States. 
Whereupon, conventions of the States were chosen and con- 
vened; and, after great deliberation and debate, the Consti- 
tution was ratified by them, in the following order: 
By Delaware on the 7th December, 1787, 



Pennsylvania 
New Jersey 
Georgia 
Connecticut 
Massachusetts 
Maryland 
South Carolina 
New Hampshire 
Virginia 
New York 
North Carolina 
Rhode Island 



12th " 1787. 

18th " 1787. 

2d January, 1788. 

9th " 1788. 

6th Febmary, 1788. 

28th April, 1788. 

23d May, 1788. 

21st June, 1788. 

26th " 1788. 

26th July, 1788. 

21st November, 1789. 

29th May, 1790. 



" The Couj^ress, in compliance with the recommendation of 
the Convention, proceeded, on September 13, 1788, to direct 
the organization of the Government, under the Constitution. 
The order of that body, to this end, was as follows: 

"Resolved, That the first Wednesday in January next be 
the day for appointing electors in several States, which 
before said day shall have ratified the said Constitution; 
that the first Wednesday in February next be the day for 
the electors to assemble in their respective States, and vote 
for a President; and that the first Wednesday in Mai-ch 
next be the time, and the present seat of Congress (New 
York) the place, for commencing the proceedings under the 
said Constitution," 



372 THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIG. 

Electors were chosen in the several States which had rati- 
fied the Constitution; that is to say, in all except North 
Carolin-i and Rliodc^ Island. Menihers of the House of Rep- 
resentatives, and Senators, wei-e also chosen. The electors 
met on the first Wednesday in February, and cast their votes 
for a President and Vice-president. The first Congress was 
to have met on the first Wednesday'' in March, wliich was the 
4th day of the month, but no quorum appeared in either 
House. The few members present in New York, continued 
to assemble and ad joiirn from day to day, until, on the 1st 
of April, the necessary number met in the House of Repre- 
sentatives, which body proceeded to elect a speaker, when 
the choice fell upon Frederick A. Muhlenberg, Esq., of Penn- 
sylvania. 

A quorum in the Senate appeared on the 6th of April, when 
the body proceeded to elect a President pro tempore, in 
order that the votes for President and Vice-president might 
be opened and counted. John Langdon, Esq. , of New Hamp- 
shire, was chosen. The two Houses assembled in joint ses- 
sion, when the electoral votes were opened and counted on 
the same (\ix\. George Washington received every vote (69), 
and was therefore declared to be elected President. John 
Adams of Massachusetts received 34 votes, or a plurality, 
and was therefore declared to be didy elected Vice-president, 
under the Constitution as originally framed. The second 
article, which regulated the choice of President and Vice- 
president, provided that the person having the highest 
number of votes, "if such number be a majority of the 
whole number of electors appointed," shall be President; 
but no such requirement was made in regard to the Vice- 
president : and it was sufficient that, " after the choice of the 
President, the persoia having the greatest number of votes 
of the electors shall be Vice-president." 

The 12tli Amendment, wliich was adopted in consequence 
of the failiu-e to elect in 1800, by the electors, provides that 
separate votes by the electors sliall be cast for the President 
and for Vice-president; and in each case, a majority vote of 
all thf electors is necessary to a choice. Otherwise the House 
of Representatives is to elect. 

Mr. Adams assumed his duties as President of the Senate 
on April 21, 1789. President Washington Avas inaugui-ated 
in New York City, April ,30, 1789, in the gallery, in front of 
the Senate-chamber. The oath of ofiice was administered 
by tbe Chancellor of the State of New York, who proclaimed, 
"Long live George Washington, President of the United 
States ! " The President then returned to the Senate-chamber 
and delivered his inaugural speech in the presence of the two 
Houses and many citizens. 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 373 

Constitution of the United States of America. 

"We the People of the United States, in order to form a 
more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tran- 
quiUity, provide for the common defence, promote the gen- 
eral Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves 
and our Posterity, do ordain and estabUsh this Constitution 
for the United States of Ameiica. 

ARTICLE. I. 

"Section. 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall 
be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall 
consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. 

"Section. 2. (1) The Houses of Representatives shall be 
composed of Membei'S chosen every second Year by the 
People of the several States, and the Electors in each State 
shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the 
most numei-ous Branch of the State Legislatui-e. 

"(2) No Person shall be a Representative who shall not 
have attrined to the Age of twenty five Years, and been 
seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall 
not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which 
he shall be chosen. 

" (3) Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned 
among the several States wdiich may be included within 
this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which 
shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free 
Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of 
Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths ot all 
other Persons. The actual Enimieration shall be made 
within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of 
the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten 
Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The 
Nimiber of Representatives shall not exceed one for every 
thirty Thoiisand, but each State shall have at Least one Re- 
presentative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the 
State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, 
Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Planta- 
tions one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, 
Pennsylvania eight, Delawai'e one, Maryland six, Virginia 
ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia 
three. 

' ' (4) When vacancies happen in the Representation from 
any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs 
of Election to fill such Vacancies. 

"(5) The House of Representatives shall chuse their 
Speaker and other Ofiicers ; and shaU leave the sole Power 
of Impeachment. 

"Section. 3. (1) The Senate of the United States shall be 
composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the 



: 71 TIIH BIRTH OF THE JIEPUBUO. 

Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall 

have ont^ Vote. , ,, , 1 1 n • r< 

"('*) Irjunodiatc'lv after they shall bo assembled in Conse- 
(Uience of the first Elertion, they shall be divided as equally 
•IS niiv b<' into tlnvo Classes. The Seats of the Senators of 
the fii-st Class shall be vacated at the Expu-ation of the second 
Year of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth 
Year' and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth 
Year' so that one-third may be chosen every second Year; 
anil if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, dur- 
ing the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive 
thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next 
Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacan- 

cies. 

"(3) No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have at- 
tained to the Ago of thirty Years, and been nine Years a 
Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when 
elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be 
chosen. 

"(4) The Vice-president of the United States shall be Pres- 
ident of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be 
equally divided. 

•'(5) The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a 
President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice-president, 
or wiion he shall exercise the Office of Pi'csident of the 
United States. 

"(Gi The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all 
Iinpcaehments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall 
Im? on Oath or Affirm;\tion. When the President of the 
United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside : And 
no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of 
two thirds of the Members present. 

"(7) Juilginont in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend 
further th;in to removal from Office, and Disqunlificatinn to 
hold anil enjoy any Office of honour, Trust or Profit imder 
th«' Unitofl States : but the Party convicted shall neverthe- 
less l)e liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and 
Punishment, according to Law. 

"SF5CTI0N. 4. (1) The Times. Places and Manner of holding 
Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be i)re- 
scribed in each State by the Legislature thereof ; but the 
Ojngress may at any time by Law make or alter such Reg- 
ulations. pxce])t as to the places of ch using Senators. 
^'•(2) The Congress shall assemble at least once in every 
Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in De- 
cember, imless tliey sliall by Law iqipoint a different Day. 

"Section. :■>. (if Each House shall be the Judge of the 
Eleetions, Rt-turns and Qualifications of its own Mend)ers, 
and a Majoi-ity of eaeli shall constitute a Quorum to do Busi- 
nesH ; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, 



THE BIRTH OF THE EEPUBLW. 375 

and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent 
Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each 
House may provide. 

"(2) Each House may determine the Eules of its Proceed- 
ings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, 
with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member. 

"(3) Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, 
and from time to time publish the same excepting such 
Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy, and the 
Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any 
question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be 
entered on the Journal. 

"(4j Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall 
without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than 
three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the 
two Houses shall be sitting. 

"Section. 6. (1) The Senators and Representatives shall 
receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained 
by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. 
They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach 
of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their attend- 
ance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going 
to and returning from the same ; and for any Speech or 
Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in anj' 
other Place. 

"(2) No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time 
for which he v.-as elected, be appointed to any civil Office 
under the Authority of the United States, which shall have 
been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been 
increased during such time ; and no Person holding any 
Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either 
House during his Continuance in Office. 

"Section. 7. (1) All Bills for raising Revenue shall origi- 
nate in the House of Representatives ; but the Senate may 
propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills. 

"(2) Every Bill which shall have passed the House of 
Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a 
Law, be presented to the President of the United States ; If 
he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with 
his Objections to that House in which it shall have origi- 
nated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, 
and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration 
two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall 
be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, 
by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved 
by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in 
all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined 
by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for 
and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each 
House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the 



376 THE BTRTII OF THE REPUBLTO. 

President within ten Days (Siiudays excepted) after it shall 
have been presented to him, the Same shall be a law, in like 
Manner as if he had signed it, inilcss the Congress by their 
Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not 
be a Law. 

"(3) Every Order, Eesolution, or Vote to which the concur- 
rence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be 
necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be 
presented to the President of the United States; and before 
the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being 
disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thii-ds of the 
Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules 
and Limitations prescribed in tlio Case of a Bill. 

" Section. 8. The Congress shall have Power 

"(1) To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, 
to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and 
general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Im- 
posts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United 
States ; 

"(2) To borrow Money on the credit of the United States; 

"(3) To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and 
among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; 

*"(4) To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and 
uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout 
the United States ; 

"(5) To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of 
foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures; 

"(6) To provide for the PunisJiment of Counterfeiting the 
Securities and Current Coin of the United States; 

"(7) To establish Post Offices and post Roads; 

"(S) To promc^te the progress of Science and Useful Arts, 
by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the 
exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries; 

"(!)) To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court ; 

"(10) To define and punish Piracies and Felonies commit- 
ted on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Na- 
tions; 

'/(ll) To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Ee- 
pris,il, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and 
Water; 

"(12) To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation 
of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two 
Years ; 

||(13) To provide and maintain a Navy; 

"(14) To make Rules for the Government and Regulation 
of the land and naval Forces; 

"(15) To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute 
the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel In- 
vasions; 

"(10> To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining 



THE milTll OF THE REPITBLIG. 377 

the Militia, and for govorning such Part of them as may be 
employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to 
the States respectively the Appointment of the Officers and 
the Authority of training the Militia according to the Dis- 
cipline prescribed by Congress ; 

"(17) To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases what- 
soever over such District (not exceeding ten miles square) as 
may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acce])tance of 
Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United 
States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places pur- 
chased by the consent of the Legislature of the State in which 
the Same shall be, for the erection of Foi'ts, Magazines, Arse- 
nals, Dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings ;— and 

"(18) To make all Laws which shall be necessary and 
proper for cai-rying into Execution the foregoing Powers, 
and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the gov- 
ernment of the United States, or in any Department or 
Officer thereof." 

"Section. 9. (1) The Migration or Importation of such Per- 
sons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to 
admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the 
Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or 
Duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding 
ten dollars for each Person. 

"(2) The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Coi'pus shall not 
be suspended, imless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion 
the public Safety may require it. 

"(3) No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shaU be 
passed. 

"(4) No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless 
in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before 
directed to be taken. 

"(5) No Tax or Duty shall be paid on Articles exported 
from any State. 

"(6) No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of 
Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those 
of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, 
be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in anotlier. 

" (7) No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in 
Consequence of Approi)riations made by Law; and a regular 
Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of 
all public Money shall be published from time to time. 

"(8) No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United 
States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust 
under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, ac- 
cept of any present. Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind 
whatever, from any King, Prince, or Foreign State. 

" Section. 10. (1) No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alli- 
ance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Re- 
prisal ; coin Money ; emit Bills of Credit ; make any Thing 



378 THE BIRTH OF THE EEPUBLIC. 

but pold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts ; pass 
any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impanung 
the Obligation of Contracts, or srant any Title of Nobility. 

"(2) No State sball, without the consent of the Congress, 
lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except 
what ma V be absolutely necessary for executing its inspection 
Laws- and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid 
by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of 
the Treasury of the United States ; and all such Laws shall 
be subject to the Revision and Controid of the Congress. 

"(3) No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay 
any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of 
Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another 
State,' or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless 
actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as wiU not 
admit of Delay. 

" ARTICLE, n. 

" Section 1, (1) The executive Power shall be vested in a 
President of the United States of America. He shall hold 
his Oflice during the Term of four Years, and, together with 
the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as 
follows 

'•(2) Each State shall api)oint, in such Manner as the Legis- 
lature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the 
whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which 
tlie State may be entitled in the Congress : but no Senator 
or Representative, or Person holding an office of Trust or 
Prolit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector. 

[*Tbc' Electors sball meet in their respective States, and vote by 
Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabi- 
tunt of the sjime State with themselves. And they shall make a List 
of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; 
which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the 
Seal of the Government of the United States, directed to the Presi- 
dent of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Pres- 
ence of tlie Senate and Ilonsc of Representatives, op<ni all the 
Certiticates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person 
Imving the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such 
Nuinher he a Majority of the whole Number of Electors ajijiointed ; 
and if there be more than one who have such ]\Iajority and have an 
equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall 
immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no 
Per.><i)n have a Majority, then from the live highest on the List the 
said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chus- 
ing the President, the Votes shall betaken by States, the Representa- 
tion from eaeh Stale having one Vote; A (Quorum for this Purpose 
shall consist of a Member or Members from t wot birds of the States, 
mid u Majority of all the States shall be neces.sary to a Choice. In 

♦ This clau.se within brackets has licen superseded and anmilled by the 
13th anieudnient, mi {ia<j;(; its.*). 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 379 

every Case, after the Choice of the Prcsideut, the Person having the 
greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. 
But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the 
Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.] 

"(3) The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the 
Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; 
which Day shall be the same throughout the United States. 

"(4) No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen 
of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this 
(Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; 
neither shall any Person be ehgible to that Office who shall 
not have attained to the Age of thirty -five Years, and been 
fourteen Years a Eesident within the United States. 

"(5) In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or 
of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the 
Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve 
on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law pro- 
vide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation, or Ina- 
bility, both of the President and Vice President, declaring 
what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer 
shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a 
President shall be elected. 

"(G) The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his 
Services, a ComiDonsation, which shall neither be encreased 
nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have 
been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any 
other Emolument from the United States, or any of them. 

"(7) Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he 
shall take the following Oath or Affirmation : — 

"'I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully 
execute the Office of President of the United States, and will 
to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the 
Constitution of the United States.' 

"Section. 2. (1) The President shall be Commander in 
Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of 
the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual 
Service of the United States ; he may require the Opinion, in 
writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive De- 
partments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their 
respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Re- 
prieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, 
except in Cases of Impeachment. 

"(2) He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and 
Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds 
of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and 
by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall 
appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, 
Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the 
United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise 
provided for, and which shall be established by Law ; but 



HSO THE niRTlI OF THE REPUBLIC. 

the ConpcTPSs may by Law vest the Appointment of such 
inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President 
alone, in tlie Courtn of Law, or in the Heads of Departments. 

*' (8) The Pivsident shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies 
that may liappen during the Recess of the Senate, by grant- 
ing Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next 
Session. 

"Section. 3. He shall from time to time give to the Con- 
gress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend 
to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge nec- 
essary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, 
convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Dis- 
agreement between them, with Respect to the Time of 
Adjoiu-nment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he 
shall think i^roper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other 
public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faith- 
fully executed, and shall Commission all the ofScei-s of the 
United States. 

"Section. 4. The President, Vice-President and all civil 
Officers of the United States, shall be removed fi-om Office 
on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Ti'eason, Bribery, 
or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. 

"article m. 

"Section. 1. The judicial Power of the United States, shall 
be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts 
as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. 
The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall 
hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated 
Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which 
shall not be dhninished during their Continuance in Office. 

"Section. 2. (1) The judicial Power shall extend to all 
Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, 
the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or Avhich 
shall be made, under their Authority; — to all Cases affectmg 
Ambassadoi"s, other public Ministers, and Consuls; — to all 
Cases of admiralt}^ and maritime Jurisdiction; — to Contro- 
versies to which the United States shall be a Party;— to 
Controvei-sies between two or more States ; — between a State 
and Citizens of another State;— between Citizens of dilferenb 
Suites,— between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands 
under Grants of dilferent States, and between a State, or the 
Citizons thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects. 

"(2) In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public l\Iin- 
istei-sand Consuls, and th6sein which a State shall be Party, 
th(3 supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all 
the otlier Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall 
have ai»pollate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with 
suth Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Cougresa 
shall make. 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 381 

"(3) The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeach- 
ment, shall be by jury; and such trials shall be held in the 
State where the said Crimes shall have been committed ; but 
■when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at 
such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have 
directed. 

"Section. 3. (1) Treason against the United States, shall 
consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to 
their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person 
shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of 
two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in 
open Court. 

"(2) The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punish- 
ment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work 
Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of 
the Person attainted. 

" ARTICLE, rv. 

" Section. 1. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each 
State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings 
of every other State. And the Congress may by general 
Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records 
and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof. 

"Section. 2. (1) The Citizens of each State shall be en- 
titled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the 
several States. 

"(2) A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, 
or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in 
another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authoi'ity 
of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be re- 
moved to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime. 

"(3) No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, 
under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in 
Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be dis- 
charged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered 
up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour 
may be due. 

"Section. 3. (1) New States may be admitted by the 
Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed 
or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State ; nor 
any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, 
or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures 
of the States concerned as well as of the Congress. 

"(2) The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and 
make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Ter- 
ritory or other Property belonging to the United States; 
and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to 
Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any partic- 
ular State. 

"Section. 4. The United States shaU guarantee to every 



382 THE BIRTH OF THE BEPUBLIG. 

State in this Union a Eepublican Form of Government, and 
shall jirotoct each of thein against Invasion; and on Applica- 
tion of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Leg- 
ialature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence. 

"article, v. 

" The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall 
deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Con- 
stitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two 
thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for pro- 
posing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be vaUd to 
all Int(>nts and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when 
ratified by tlie Legislatures of three fourths of the several 
States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the 
one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by 
the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be 
made prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and 
eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses 
in the Ninth Section of the first Article ; and that no State, 
-without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage 
in the Senate. 

" ARTICLE. VI. 

"(1) All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, 
before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid 
against the Uuited States under this Constitution, as under 
the Confederation. 

"(2) This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States 
which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties 
made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the 
United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land ; and 
the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any 
Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Con- 
trary notwithstanding. 

'•(3) The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, 
and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all 
executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States 
and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirma- 
tion, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test 
shall be ever required as a Qualification to any Office or 
pubUc Trust under the United States. 

"article, vn. 

"The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, 
shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution 
between the States so ratifying the Same. 

"Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the 
States present the Seventeenth Day of September in 
the Year of oiu* Lord one thousand seven hundred and 
Eighty seven and of the Independauco of the United 



THE BIRTH OF TUB BEPUBLIG. 



383 



States of America the Twelfth. In Witness whereof 
We have hereunto subscribed our Names, 

"GEO WASHINGTON— 
*' Presidt and deputy froin Virginia 

NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman. 

MASSACHUSETTS. 

Nathaniel Gorham, Ruf us King. 



Wm. Saml. Johnson, 

Alexander Hamilton. 

Wil: Livingston, 
Wm. Paterson, 

B. Franklin, 
Robt. Morris, 
Tho: Fitzsimons, 
James Wilson, 

Geo: Read, 
John Dickinson, 
Jaco: Broom, 



CONNECTICUT. 

Roger Shei-man. 

NEW YORK. 



NEW JERSEY. 

David Brearley, 
Jona. Dayton. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

Thomas Mifflin, 
Geo: Clymer, 
Jared Ingersoll, 
Gouv: Morris. 

DELAWARE. 



Gunning Bedford, Jun'r, 
Richard Bassett. 



James M'Henry, 
Danl. Carroll, 



John Blair, 

Wm. BlouTit, 
Hu. Williamson, 



J. Rutledge, 
Charles Pinckney, 



William Few, 
Attest : 



MARYLAND. 

Dan : of St. Thos. Jenifer. 

VIRGINIA. 

James Madison, Jr. 

NORTH CAROLINA. 

Rich'd Dobbs Spaight. 

SOUTH CAROLINA. 

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 
Pierce Butler. 

GEORGIA. 

Abr. Baldwin. 
William Jackson, Secretary.'''' 



The Constitution was adopted on the 17th September, 
17S7, by the convention appointed in pursuance of the reso- 



Ji84 Till': BlllTlI OF THE REPUBLIC. 

li'tion (if tho Conpcress of the Confederation, of the 21st 
February 1787, and was ratified by the conventions of the 
several States, in the order stated on a preceding page. 

Several of the state conventions made it a condition of rati- 
fication, that certain aniendments should be added, in the 
nature of a Bill of Rights. These conditional ratifications 
could not be regarded as valid, and they were only in part 
complied with. 

Articles ix Addition to, and Amendment of, the Con- 
stitution OF TUE United States op America, 

Proposed hij Congress, mid ratified by the Legislatures of the 
several Statc.% jnirsuant to the fifth article of the original 
Constitution. 

"(article l) 

" Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment 
of I'cligion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ; or abridg- 
ing the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the 
jieople peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Govern- 
ment for a redress of grievances. 

"(article n.) 

" A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security 
of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, 
shall not be infringed. 

" (article III.) 

"No Soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any 
house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, 
but in a manner to be prescribed by law. 

" (article IV.) 

"Tho right of the people to bo secure in their persons, 
houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches 
and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall 
issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or aflSrm- 
ation. and ]»articularly describing the place to be seai'ched, 
and the persons or things to be seized. 

"(article v.) 

"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or other- 
wise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment 
of Crand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval 
force, (ir in tlie iMiiita, when in actual service in time of 
War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject tor 



THE BIRTH OF THE BEPULLIG. 385 

the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; 
nor shall be compelled in any Criminal Case to be a witness 
against himself; nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, 
without due process of law ; nor shall private property be 
taken for public use, without just compensation. 

" (article VI.) 

* ' In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the 
right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of 
the State and district wherein the crime shall have been 
committed, which district shall have been previously as- 
certained by law, and to be informed of the nature and 
cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses 
against him; to have Compulsory process for obtaining 
Witnesses in his favour, and to have the Assistance of 
Counsel for his defence. 

" (article VII.) 

' ' In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy 
shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall 
be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall Ibe otherwise 
re-examined in any Court of the United States, than accord- 
ing to the rules of the common law. 

" (article VIII.) 

"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines 
imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 

" (article IX.) 

" The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, 
shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained 
by the people. 

" (ARTICLE X.) 

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the 
Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved 
to the States respectively, or to the people. 

" (article XI.) 
"The Judicial power of the United States shall not be 
construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced 
or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of 
another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign 
State. 

"(article XII.) 

"The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and 
vote by ballot for President and Vice President, one of 
whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state 
with themselves ; they shall name in their ballots the person 



38G THE BIliTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person 
vt)teil for as Vicc-Pi-osident, and they shall make distinct 
lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons 
votetl for as Vice-President, and of the nunibov of votes for 
each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit 
sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, 
directed to the President of the Senate;— The President of 
the Senate sliall, in presence of the Senate and House of 
Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall 
tlieu be count3d ; -The person having the greatest number 
of votes for President, sliall be the President, if such num- 
ber be a majority of the wliole number of Electors appointed ; 
and if no person have such majority, then from the persons 
having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list 
of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives 
shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in 
clioosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, 
the representation from each state having one vote; a quo- 
rum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members 
from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states 
shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Repre- 
sentatives shaU not choose a President whenever the right 
of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of 
March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as 
President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional 
disability of the President. The perscm having the greatest 
number of votes as Vice-President, shall be tlie Vice-Presi- 
dent, if such mmiber be a majority of the whole number of 
Electors appointed, and if no ]>ersou have a majoi-ity, then 
from the two liighest numbers on the list, the Senate shall 
choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall 
consist of two-thirds of the wliole number of Senators, and a 
majority of the -whole number shall be necessary to a choice. 
But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of 
President shaU be eligible to that of Vice-President of the 
United States. 

The Inaugural Speech of Washington 
is as follows: 

" Fkllow-citizens op the Senate and of the House op 
Kkpuksentatives: Among the vicissitudes incident to hfe, 
no event could have filled me with gi-eater anxiety than that 
ot whieli the notification was transmitted by vour onler, 
and received on the 14th day of the ])resent month. On the 
one hand, I was summoned by my country— whose voice I 
can nevcT hear but with veneration and love— from a retreat 
winch L had chijsen with the fondest iti-edilection, and, in my 
llalU-rmg hopes, with an immutable decision, as the asylum 
01 my declmmg years; a retreat which ^a^ rendered every 



THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 387 

day more necessary, as well as more dear, to me, by the ad- 
dition of habit to inclination, and of frequent intorru])tions 
in my health, to the gradual waste committed on it by time. 
On the other hand, the magnitude and difficulty of the trust 
to which the voice of my country called me, being sulScient 
to awaken in the wisest and most experienced of her citizens 
a distrustful scrutiny into his qualifications, could not but 
overwhelm with despondence one who, inheriting inferior 
endowments from nature, and unpractised in the duties of 
civil administration, ought to be peculiarly conscious of his 
own deficiencies. In this conflict of emotions, all I dare 
aver is that it has been my faithful study to collect my 
duty from a just appreciation of every circumstance by 
which it might be affected. All I dare hope is that, if, in 
executing this task, I have been too much swayed by a 
grateful remembrance of former instances, or by an affec- 
tionate sensibility to this ti'anscendent proof of the con- 
fidence of my fellow-citizens, and have thence too little 
consulted my incapacity as well as disinclination for the 
weighty and untried cares before me, my error will be pal- 
liated by the motives which misled me, and its consequences 
be judged by my country with some share of the partiality 
in v/hich they originated. 

" Such being the impressions under which I have, in obe- 
dience to the public summons, repaired to the present 
station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first 
official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being 
who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of 
nations, and whose providential aids can supply every 
human defect, that his benediction may consecrate, to the 
liberties and happiness of the people of United States, a gov- 
ernment instituted by themselves for these essential pur- 
poses, and may enable every instrument employed in its 
administration to execute with success the functions allotted 
to his charge. In tendering this homage to the great Author 
of every public and private good, I assure myself that it 
expresses your sentiments not less than my own; nor those 
of my fellow-citizens at large, less than either. No people 
can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand 
v/hich conducts the affairs of men, more than the people of 
the United States. Every step by which they have ad- 
vanced to the character of an independent nation seems to 
have been distinguished by some token of providential 
agency ; and in the important revolution just accomplished 
in the system of their united government, the tranquil de- 
liberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct com- 
munities, from which the event has resulted, cannot be- 
compared with the means by which most govei-nments have 
been established without some return of pious gratitude 
along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings 



388 TUE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC. 

which the past seem to presage. These reflections, arising 
out of the present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly 
on my mind to be suppressed. You will join with me, I 
trust, in thinking that there are none under the influence 
of which the proceedings of a new and free government can 
more auspiciously commence. 

"By the article establishing the executive department, it 
is made the duty of the President ' to recommend to your 
consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and 
expedient.' The circumstances under which I now meet 
you will acquit me from entering into that subject further 
than to refer to the great constitutional charter under which 
you are assembled, and which, in defining j^our powers, 
designates the objects to which yoiu* attention is to be given. 
It will be more consistent with those circumstances, and far 
more congenial with the feelings which actuate me, to sub- 
stitute, in place of a recommendation of particular measures, 
tlie tribute that is due to the talents, the rectitude, and the 
patriotism which adorn the characters selected to devise and 
adopt them. In these honorable qualifications, I behold the 
surest pledges that, as on one side, no local prejudices or at- 
tachments, no separate views, nor party animosities, will mis- 
direct the comprehensive and equal eye which ought to watch 
over this great assemblage of communities and interests ; so, 
on another, that the foundations of our national policy will be 
laid in the pure and immutable principles or private moral- 
ity, and the pre-eminence of free government be excmpUfied 
by all the attributes which can win the affections of its citi- 
zens and command the respect of the world. I dwell on 
tliis prospect with every satisfaction which an ardent love 
for my country can inspire: since there is no truth more 
thoroughl}'^ established, than that there exists in the econ- 
omy and course of nature an indissoluble union between 
virtue and happiness, between duty and advantage, be- 
tween the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous 
pohcy and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felic- 
ity; since we ought to be no less pursuaded that the pro- 
pitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation 
that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which 
heaven itself has ordained; and since the preservation of the 
sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican 
model of government are justly considered as deeply, per- 
haps as finaUy, staked, on the experiment entrusted to the 
han<ls of the American people. 

"Besides the ordinary objects submitted to your care, it 
Avill remain wath your judgment to decide how far an exer- 
cise of the occasional power delegated by the fifth article of 
the Constitution is rendered expedient at the present junc- 
ture, by the nature of objections which have been urged 
against the system or by the degree of inquietude which 



THE BIBTII OF THE RErUBLIC. 389 

has g;iven birth to them. Instead of undertaking; pai'ticular 
recommendations on this subject, in which I could he 
guided by no hghts derived from oflQcial opportunities, I 
shall again give way to my entire confidence in your dis- 
cernment and pursuit of the public good; for, I assure my- 
self, that, whilst you carefully avoid every alteration which 
might endanger the benefits of an united and effective gov- 
ernment, or which ought to await the future lessons of ex- 
perience, a reverence for the characteristic rights of free- 
men, and a regard for the public harmony, will sufficiently 
influence your deliberations on the question how far the 
former can be more impregnably fortified, or the latter Idg 
safely and advantageously promoted. 

"To the preceding observations I have one to add, which 
will be most properly addressed to the House of Representa- 
tives. It concerns myself, and will therefore be as brief as 
possible. When I was first honored with a call into the ser- 
vice of my country, then on the eve of an arduous struggle 
for its liberties, the light in which I contemplated my duty 
required that I should renounce every pecuniary compensa- 
tion. Erom this resolution I have in no instance departed ; 
and being stiU under the impressions which produced it, I 
must decline, as inapplicable to myself, any share in the 
personal emoluments which may be indispensably included 
in a permanent provision for the executive depart- 
ment, and must accordingly pray that the pecuniary esti- 
mates for the station in which I am placed may, during my 
continuartce in it, be limited to such actual expenditures as 
the public good may be thought to require. 

"Having thus imparted to you my sentiments, as they 
have been awakened by the occasion which brings us to- 
gether, I shall take my present leave; but not without 
resorting once more to the benign Parent of the human race 
in humble supplication, that, since he has been pleased to 
favor the American people with opportunities for deliberat- 
ing in perfect tranquillity, and dispositions for deciding, 
with unparalleled inaanimity, on a form of government for 
the security of their Union and the advancement of their 
happiness, so his divine blessing may be equally conspicuous 
in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the 
wise measures on which the success of this government 
must depend." 



THE END, 



INDEX. 



CONNECTICUT. 

Act of Parliament burnt, 
145. 

Adam, Andrew, 361. 

Ai-nold, Benedict, 157. 

Babcock, Mr. Adam, 157. 

Beebe, Dr., 151. 

Benedict, Mr. Zadock, 156. 

Bishop, Mr. Samuel, 157. 

Comstock, BIr. Andrew,156. 

Connecticut, 25, 144, 354, 
3G1, 369, 3S3. 

Connecticut Assembly, 149. 

Connecticut Resolutions 
146. 

Connecticut instructs her 
Delegates to vote tor In- 
dependence, 158. 

Danbury Town Meeting 
Proceedings, 154. 

Dcane, Silas, Esq., &4, 1.57. 

Delegate Bleating at Hart- 
ford, 151. 

Durkee, Mr., 26, 27, 28. 

Dyer, Eliphalet, Esq., 84. 

EiLs worth, Esq., Oliver, 
303. 309. 

Fairfleld Committee Pro- 
ceedings, 156. 

Fitch, Gov. of Conn., 25, 

26, 30. 

Gazette, The, 145. 

Glastenbury Public Meet- 
ing, 144, 149. 

Hait, Capt. David, 154. 
Hollister, historian, 25, 28, 

144, 156, 158. 
Hollister,statement by, 158. 
Hollister, Capt. Elisha, 145. 
Hosmer, Titus, 361. 
Humphreys, General, 28. 
Huntington, Sam'l, 95, 301. 
Ilutton, Mr. Samuel, 154. 
Ingersoll, Jared, Esq, 

Stamp-distributor, 25, 26, 

27, 28, 30, 46. 
Jarvis, S., 154. 
Johnson, William Samuel, 

Esq., 8, 369, 383. 
Lebanon, 25. 
Lloyd, Mr. John, 154. 
Lyman, David, Esq., J. P., 

"30. 
McLean. Mr. John, 156. 
Mimf ord, Mr. Thomas, 157, 
New Haven, 26. 
New London, 25. 



Non - importation agree- 
ment, 114. 

Norwich, 25. 

Norwich Resolutions, 149. 

Parsons, Samuel Holden, 
Esq., 157. 

People, 27. 

Porter, Mr. Joshua, 157. 

Putnam, Col. Israel, 30. 

Root, Jesse, 157. 

Sherman, Roger, Esq., 84, 
95, 301, 3GU, 3- 3. 

Silliman, Mr. Ebenezer, l.'JO. 

Stamford Town Meeting 
Resolutions, 153. 

Stamp Act in Connecticut, 
25. 

Stevens, Capt. Thomas, 154. 

Starr, Capt. Daniel, 15o. 

Taylor, Mr. Blajor, 150. 

Trumbull, Col. Jonathan, 
25, 158. 

Weed, Capt. Chas., 154. 

Wells, Mr. Chas., 157. 

Wethersfield, 26. 

Windham, 25. 

Windham Town proceed- 
ings, 150. 

Williams, Ezekiel, 157, 

Williams, William, Esq., 
1,57. 

Wolcott, Oliver, 95, 361. 

Wyllis, Capt. Samuel, 153, 
1.57. 

Young, Capt. Samuel, 154. 

DELAWARE. 

Bassett, Richard, 236, 367, 
368, 383. 

Bedford, Gunning, Jr., 368, 
383. 

Booth, Mr. James, 243. 

Broom, Jacob, 308, 383. 

Clark, Jno., Esq., 236, 240, 
242. 

Clewes, Mr., 242. 

CoUins, Mr. Thos, 234, 236. 

Continental Association ap- 
proved, 240. 

Crapper, Zadock, 236. 

Cropper, Blr. Levin. 234. 

D'-laware, 46, 234, 35-i, 362, 
307, 308, 3>^3. 

Delaware Convention, 234, 
, 237. 

Delaware Convention Re- 
solves, 234, 239. 



Delaware Assembly Reso 

lutions, 2^41, 243. 
Dickinson, John, Esq., 362, 

357, 368, 383. 
Evans, John, Esq., 23^1, 366, 
Haslet, John, 236. 
Kent Co. Resolutions, 235. 
Killen, Mr. Wm., 234, 230. 
Latimer, Blr. James, New 

Castle, 234. 
Lockwood, Richard, Esq., 

238. 
Manlove, Mr. Boaz, 234. 
McKean, Thomas, Esq., 84, 

95, 234, 240, 243, 302. 
McKinley, Blr. John, New 

Castle, 234, 240. 
New Castle Co. Committee, 

240. 
Porter, Mr. Alex., New Cas- 
tle, 234. 
Read, George, Esq., 84, 95, 

234, 240, 241, 242, 367, 308, 

383. 
Ridgeley, Chas., Esq., 236, 

242. 
Robinson, Mr. Thomas, 234. 
Rodney, Caesar, Esq., 84, 

95, 234, 230, 239, 240, 241. ■ 
Rotlney, Thomas, 236. 
Stamp Act, 40. 
Stout, Jacob, 236. 
Sussex Co. Resolutions, 

236. 
Sykes, James, 236. 
Thompson, Mr. David, Sus- 
sex Co., 234, 240. 
Townsend, Mr. Stephen, 

Sussex Co., 234. 
Van Dyke, Nicholas, 3G2. 
Wellis, James, 233. 
Wiltbank, Mr. John, Sussex 

Co., 234. 

GEORGIA. 

Address to the People, 338. 

Angus, Mr., Stamp-distrib- 
utor, 66. 

Baldwin, Abraham, 309, 
383, 

Bierry, Thomas, 342. 

Bryan, Jonathan, Esq.. 338. 

Bullock, Ai-chibald, Esq., 
339, 345, 352. 

Clark, James, 342. 

Clay, Joseph, 340. 

Cockspur, 67. 



;3!« 



INDEX. 



Cooper, Richnrd, S^tC. 
CreiV'htou, AlexunikT, iSfi. 
CuthlK rt, Isaiic, 3-ti. 
CuthlH'rt, Daniel A., 3i2. 
Ciiyler, Mrs.. 3-17. 
l)arifn li*>si)lutioiis, 340. 
Darifii As.socitvti.in, 311. 
iK'Uiei'c, Hiiyiiiond, 3ki. 
E«en, WilUixm, aW. 
Fiu-Kv, Saiiiii.-l, 3^10. 
FeY,\Vm, Esq., sen. 3R3. 
l-'ort. George, Cock-spur 

Maiul, 67. 
Fuitoii, John, 3J2. 
FulLoii, Sninui'l, »|-2. 
Gc.r^'ia. CO, 337, 354, 303, 

3 ;0. :vs;j. 
fiazt-tU', S-ivanimh, 3 W. 
Gi'ortrift Ass«'mlily Address 

to tilt? KiuK, 33S. 
Or irijia Association, 3^1,5. 
Cii-orfjia .Vsscinblr, Re.-iolu- 

tions by, :«7, 34-.J, 345. 
Cioort^'ia Assembly, Associ- 
ation of Nonimportation 

by, 3r>. 
Gf. ir^ia Council of Safety, 

Ui-soliitii)ns by, 3.")1. 
Ot-or^'ia Council of Safety, 

Address of, S.'il. 
Gt'or;,'ia Temporary Con- 

stiliiiion, 3."i(). 
Gi'm-ral ;\!i'ctinp, GtK)rgia 

Ui'solutions, 83'J. 
Gwinni'lt, Button, 9C. 
Hall, Isaac. 342. 
Hull, Jolin. 8ld. 
Hall, I.yinan, Esq^^ 06. 
Houston, John, Esq., 339, 

310,313. 
Jiii-.es, Noble Wimberly, 

Hs<i.. aiS, 3.39. 310, 345. 
Jiidtou. I'aul, 3I-.3. 
Kin^', Thomas, 342. 
Lan, -worthy, Edward, 3C2. 
Lili.Ttv I!o\s, Of). 
McClofaiid,' Samuel, 342. 
McCJi'Iaiiil, John. 312. 
iMcCulluK'h, Seth. ai2. 
Mc(."ullii;,'h. William. 342. 
McCi:llii;:h, John, Sr., .^12. 
Mct'MlluL'h, John, Jr.. 342. 
McDonald, cniarlcs. »42. 
Mcintosh, Jolin, :iI2. 
Mcintosh. L.,312. 
M'Tchaiits and Traders 

Mi-ctiutj, Uusolutious by, 

;«■(. 
Millclv-e, Capt , CO. 
M.Kir.', Jil.-s. »I2. 
Ni.-.vwom. Jones, 312. 
ranmlj, Lieut.. ^A. 
I'eti lleion, Xulhuuiel,r.sq.. 

;i:t. ^' 

l"i. re.., William, F^., .TOO. 
I'o'.veii. dipt, m. 
iT'ivllleial Coni.Tcss Rcso- 

luliMiis, -M-, 3 IS. 
HobTl.,. Hani.-l, F.S.I.. 3.'i2. 
R'.lund, John. F.S.I .312. 
SttUcns, Tctcr, Esq., 312. 



Savannah, Ga., Meeting 

and Resolves. 346. 
Shuttlcworth, Pr.. 342. 
Shuttleworlh, Keu., 312. 
Stamp Act, (iO. 
Stephen's History of Ga., 

06. 
Stobe, Joseph, Esq., 342. 
Telfair, Edward, 340, 302. 
Threadcraft, Gtwrge, 342. 
Tvbee Island, CO. 
Walton, George, Esq., 96, 

339, 353, 309. 
Walton, Lieut.. 3.53. 
Walton, John, 302. 
AVells, Amirew Elton,;310. 
Wore.at, Jolin, 352. 
Wither.spoon, John, 342. 
Witherspoou, John, Jr., 

312. 
Wright, Sir .Tames, Royal 

Governor, 00, 311. 
Wylly, Jlr., Speaker House 

of ("ommons, 60, 3:37. 
Young, William, Esq., 340. 

MARYLAND. 

Alexander, Robt., Esq., 
256, 257. 

Annapolis, 119. 247, 2.52. 

Anne Arundell Co. Reso- 
lutions, 249. 

Raltimore Co. Resolutions, 
52, 248. 

Baltimore, Lord, 52. 

Carroll. Charles, of Carroll- 
ton, 95. 247". 

Carroll, Daniel, Esq., 362, 
309. 383. 

Caroline Co. Resolutions, 
251. 

Charles Co. Resolutions, 
251. 

Chase, Samuel, Eso., 84, 
95, 247, 25(i, 364. 

Chestertowu Resolutions, 
244. 

Dick, Mr., merchant, An- 
napolis, 244. 

Dickinson, Charles, 251. 

Duckett. Mr. Jolin. 2.52. 

Frederick Co. Resolutions, 
250. 

Gazette, Md., 49. 50. 

Geddes. (brigantineV 210. 

General Assembly, .50. 

General Assembly Resolu- 
tions by, .50. 

Goldsborough, Robert, 
Esq., 2.56. 

Green, Mr. Jonas, Editor 
of Gazette, 49. 

Grimth, Mr. Henry, Fred- 
erick Co.. 2.50. 

Hall, Aqnilla, Esq., Har- 
f<ird t;o., 250. 

Hall, John, Esq., AnnaT)o- 
I is, 247, 2.53. 

Hanmiond. Mntthi.as, Estj., 
.Annapolis, 217. 

Hanson, John, Esq., 3C2. 



Harford Co. Resolutions, 

230. 
Hood, Zachariah, Esq., 49, 

51. 

H d, Z h, Esq , 50. 

Instructions to Delegates 

in Congress, 256. 
Jenifer, Daniel of St. Tho- 
mas, Esq., 309, .383. 
Johnson, Herman, 87. 
Johiiscu, Thomas, Jr.,Esq., 

70, 84, 247, 2.56. 
Kent Co. Resolutions, 249. 
McCubbin, Jlr., merchant, 

Annapolis, 244. 
McHenry, James, E.sq., 

309, 383. 
McMahon, historian, 46, 

213, 214. 
McMahon, statement by, 

in regard to Stamp Act, 

46. 
Martin, Luther. Esq.. 369. 
Maryland, 40, 243, 354, 362, 

300, 309, 38.3. 
Maryland Convention Res- 
olutions, 252, 258. 
Mercer. John Francis, Esq., 

309. 
Paca, William, Esq., 84,95, 

247, 256. 
Queen Anne Co. Resolu- 
tions, 248. 
Ridgeley, Capt. Charles, 

Baltimore Co., 248. 
Rogers, John, Esq., 256. 
Stamp Act, 46. 
Stewart, Mr., merchant, 

Annapolis. 244. 
Stewart, SIr.W.. merchant, 

Annapolis, 211. 
Stone, Thos. Esq., 95, 256. 
Talbot Co. Meeting, 240. 
Tilghinan, Matthew, Esq., 

81. 2.52, 260. 
Wallace. Mr., merchant, 

Annapolis, 244. 
Worthington, Mr. Briee 

Beale, Aune Arundell 

Co., 249. 
Wright, AV., Esq., 340. 

MASSACHUSETTS. 
Act for sending beyond 

sea for trial, 112. 117. 
Adams, John, Esq., 76, 84, 

91, 95, 110, 243, 37i. 
Ad.ams, Samuel, Esq,, 84, 

9.5, 110, 129,301. 
Address to the People by 

tlie Provincial Congress, 

128. 
Assembly protests against 

the Acts of Parliament, 

103. 
Barrv. historian. 16. 
Bernanl, Gov., 291. 
Bost.ni Tea Party. 104. 
B.iston Port Dill, lOd, ;r>2, 
Bowdoin. J.iiiies. ]''.s(|., 110. 
Brovii, Wm., Judge, 120, 



INDEX. 



393 



Cambridgre, Mass., 290. 

Chartei-of Mass., abolition 
of, 112, 113. 

Clark, Mr., consignee of 
tea, Boston, 104. 

Committee of Safety, 129. 

Cumberland Co., 122. 

Cushing, Thomas, Esq., 
84, 110, 208. 

Dana, Fi-ancis, Esq., 361, 
309. 

Extracts from the Port 
Bill, lor. 

Falnioutli, Caseo Bay, 122. 

Fanenil Hall, 18, 100. 

Faneuil Hall, Convention 
Proceedings in, 100. 

Freeman, Sam'l, Esq., 131. 

Gerry, Elbridge, Esq., 95, 
129, 301,364, 369, 

Gorliam, Nathaniel, Esq., 
309, 383. 

Hall, captain of tea ves- 
sel at Boston, 105. 

Hallowell, Mr., 18. 

Hancock, John, Esq., 95, 
99, 124, 129, 208, 361. 

Hancock, Ebenezer, Esq., 
119. 

Helton, Samuel, Esq., 361. 

Hutchinson, Thomas, Esq., 
103. 104. 

Hutchinson, Ehsha, Esq., 
103, 104. 

Hntcliiiison, Foster, Esq., 
Jud^'e, 103, 10."j, 120. 

Hutchinson, Mr,, Cliief Jus- 
tice, 16, 17, 18, 10.3, 291. 

King, Rufus, Esq., 365, 369, 
383. 

Lexington, 130, 316. 

Linciiln. Benj. Esq , 124. 

Lovell, James, Esq., 361. 

Malcolm, John, 109. 

Massachusetts. 7, 10, 16, 96, 
354, 301, 307, 369. 383. 

Massachusetts Provincial 
Congress,126, 127, 128, 130. 

Massachusetts House of 
Representatives, Resolu- 
tions by, no. 

Massachusetts House of 
Representatives author- 
izes Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, 131 . 

Massachusetts declared to 
be in rebellion, 129. 

Middlesex Co., 121. 

New Plymouth, 130. 

Oliver, Peter, Esq., Chief 
Justice, 119, 291. 

Oliver, Andrew, Esq., 
Stamp-distributor, 16, 17, 
18. 

Otis, James, Esq., 8, 9, 16. 

Paine, Robert Treat, ISsq., 
84, 9.5, 110. 

Revere, Paul, Esq., 137, 1.39. 

Rotch, owner of vessel that 
l)rought tea to Boston, 
105. 



Rtiggles. Mr., 10. 

Salem, Mass., 124. 

Stamp Act in Mass., 16, 17. 

Story, Mr., deputy regis- 
ter, 18. 

Strong, Caleb, Esq., 369. 

Suffolk Co , 74, 121. 

Suffolk Co. Resolutions, 
74. 

Temporary government 
established, 130. 

Vose, Mr., 121. 

Warren, Dr. Joseph, 128. 

Watertown, Mass., 130. 

Woodward, Richard, 121. 

York Co., 124. 

NEW JERSEY. 

Bergen Co. Resolutions, 
221. 

Bloomfleld, Moses, Esq., 
232. 

Burlington Committee, 231. 

Brearley, David, Esq., 368, 
38.3 

Camp, Caleb., Esq., 230, 231. 

Clark, Abram, Esq., 96, 233, 
367, 308. 

Committees of the several 
Counties' Resolutions, 
226. 

Coxe, William, Stamp-dis- 
tributor, 40. 

Crane, Stephen, Esq., 84, 
230. 

Dayton, Jonathan, Esq., 
308, 383. 

De Hart, John, Esq., 84, 
220. 

Delegates to Continental 
Congress, 229. 

Essex Co. Grand Jury Ad- 
dress to the Chief Jus- 
tice, 227, 228. 

Essex Co. Resolutions, 220. 

Fallman. Peter, Esq., 231. 

Field, Richard S., Esq., 37. 

Fisher, Heudrick, Esq., 233. 

Franklin, Gov., 40. 

Frelinghiiysen, Mr. Freder- 
ick, 233. 

Hart, John, 96, 233. 

Historical Society, 37. 

Hopkinson, Francis, Esq., 
96, 233. 

Houston, William Church- 
ill, Esq , 367, 368. 

Hunterdon Co. Resolu- 
tions, 223. 

Johnson, Robert, Esq., 232. 

Kearney, Philip, Esq , 39. 

Kinsey, Mr., Delegate to 
Congress, 84, 230. 

Lawrence, .John, Esq., Up- 
per Freehold Co., 232. 

Livingston, Gov. William, 
76, 84, 87, 230, 308, 383. 

Lower B'reehold Resolu- 
tions, 220. 

Mid<llese.\- Co. Resolutions, 
2:.: 4. 



Monmouth Co. Resolu- 
tions, 225, 

Morris Co. Resolutions, 222. 

Blulford, historian, 218. 

NeiLson, John, Esq., 368. 

Newark, Committee Reso- 
lutions, 229, 231. 

New Jersey, 10, 218, 354, 
302, 306, 307, 368, 383. 

New Jersey Assembly Res- 
olutions, 230, 367. 

New Jersey Committee to 
Boston Committee, x:27. 

Ogden, David, Esq., 10, .39. 

Ogden, Robert, Esq., 
Speaker of Assembly, 10, 
40. 

Patterson, W^illiam, Esq., 
368 383 

Potter, Capt. Reuben, 231. 

Schm-emau, James, Esq., 
307. 

Scudder, Nathaniel, 363. 

Smith, William P., 227. 

Smith, Richard, 84, 230. 

Smyth, Frederick, Chief 
Justice, 38. 

Somerset Co. Committee 
Resolutions, 233. 

Stamp Act, 37. 

Stockton, Richard, Esq., 
96, 233. 

Sussex Co. Resolutions, 225. 

Upper Freehold Resolu- 
tions, 232. 

Witherspoon, Dr. John, 96, 
233, 302. 

Woodbridge Committee 
Resolutions 231 232. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

Address of Convention to 

the inhabitants, 141. 
Bartlett, Josiah, Esq., 95, 

141, 361, 
Belknap, historian, 19, 134. 
Belknap's histoiy, extract 

from, 19. 
Castle William and Mary, 

Portsmouth, 137, 138. 
Claget, Justice, 21. 
Cochran, captain of Castle 

WUliam and Mary, 137, 

138. 
Committee of Portsmouth, 

135. 
Cutts, Samuel, Esq., 137, 

139, 141. 

Emery, Mr. Noah, 144. 
Epsom Resolves, 139. 
Extract from Gazette, 20. 
Fenton, Col., 139. 
Folsom, Nathaniel, Esq. ,84, 

140. 
Gihnan, Nicholas, Esq., 

369. 383. 
Independence authorized, 

143. 
Laugdon, Capt. John. 137, 

140, 369, 372, 383. 



394 



IXDEX. 



Letter from Committee of 

Portsmouth, 135. 
Letter from Gov. Went- 

worth to Gen. Gage, 137. 
Lewis, Peter, Esq., Gover- 
nor's Counsellor, V&i 
Messerve, Mr., appointed 

Statiip-distrihutor, 111, ~'0. 
New Iluuiiishire, 11), lai, 

354, 3G1,3U7, 301). 383. 
Piokeriug, John, Esq., 141, 

309. 
Portsmouth, 134. 
Provincial Convention, 140. 
Stamp Act, 19. 
SuUivau, John, Esq., 84, 

137, 140. 
Tappan, Mr. Christopher, 

141. 
Thompson, Mr. Ebenezer, 

141. 
Trecothick, Barlow, Esq., 

20. 
Thornton, Matthew, 95. 
Wentworth, John, Esq., 20, 

132, 133, 13S, 131), MU. .lOl. 
Wentworth, Benuintj, Esq., 

Gov., 131, 137 
WeBre, Meslieck, Esq., 140. 
West, Benjamin, Esq., 3(59. 
Whiting, Mr., 137. 
Whipple, Wm., Esq., 95, 141. 

NEW YORK. 

Alsop, John, Esq., 73, 84, 
177, 178. 

Association of New York, 
193. 

Bache, Theophilas, Esq., 
177. 

Bayard, William, 177 

Beekman, Gerard W., 177. 

Belknap. Mr. Jo.seph, 192. 

Benson, Egbert, 307. 

Benson, llobert, Esq., 191. 

Blake, Mr. Jonathan, 17S. 

Yloomer, Mr. Robert, 183. 

Boerum, Simon, Esq., 75, 
84. 

Booth, Benjamin, 177. 

Bowery, the New York, 
Public Meeting in, 195. 

Brown, George, 177. 

Brown, John, Esq., 190. 

Brookhaven Cotniiiittee ap- 
points Committee of Ob- 
servation, 19t. 

Brookhaven Committee re- 
solves, 195. 

Broom. John, 177. 

Brfislicr. Aliraham, 177, 196. 

Buli, Joseph. 177. 

Carpi'uter. Jlr. Zeno, 1R3. 

Clinton, Mr. Clias., 180,187. 

Colden, Cadwallader. Lt.- 
Gov., 31. 32, 33, 35, 174, 
176, 187, 188. 

Committ«>o of Correspond- 
ence. 170. 177. 

Committee, General of 
N.y., 190. 



Committee, General, Ad- 
dress to Gov., 190. 

Corpoi-ation of New York 
City, 190. 

Contme, Mr. Matthew, 186. 

Corporation of New York, 
Address to Gov. Tryou, 
191. 

Cross, Mr. Robert, 192. 

Cumberland Co. Commit- 
tee Resolutions, 11)4. 

Cm-tenius, Peter T.. 177. 

Dennison, Mr. George, 192. 

Delaney, John, 177. 

DesbroRses, Elias, Esq., 177. 

Destruction of stamps, 37. 

Duane. James, Esq., 84, 
178, 301. 

Duer, James, Esq., 177, 
361. 

Duryee, Abraham, 177. 

Duyckinck, Gerandus, 177. 

East HamiJtou Resolutions, 
181. 

Elmendorph, Capt. John, 
ISO. 

Floyd, Wm., Esq., 84, 95. 

Fort George, 33. 

Foy, capt. of Fort George, 
33. 

Francis, Mr. Samuel, 177. 

Goelet, Peter, 177. 

Hallett, Mr. Joseph, 177, 
190. 

Hamilton, Alexander, Esq., 
303, 307, 309, .383. 

Hancjver Committee Re- 
solves, 180. 

Haring, John, 183 

Haring, Peter T.. 183. 

Hardenbergh, Col. Johan- 
nes, 185. 180. 

Hardenbergh, Mr. Johan- 
nes G., 180. 

Hasbrouck, Mr. Jacob, Jr., 
186. 

Haviland, Ebenezer, 183, 
184. 

Herring, .John, Esq., 75. 

Hicks, Whitehead, Esq., 
Mayor of N. Y., 191. 

Hoffman, Nicholas, 177. 

Horsmanden, Chief Justice 
N. Y., 31. 

Horton, Mr. Jame.s, 183. 

Huntington Resolutions, 
182. 

Jackson, Mv. William. 186, 

Jam.-iica Town Meeting 
Resolutions, 185. 

Jauncey, James, 177. 

Jay. John. Esq., 76, 84, 85, 
87, 177, 178, 179. 

Johnston, David, 177. 

.Jones. Mr. Gai'diner, 183. 

Kemp, Mr., Attorney-gen- 
eral, 32. 

Kings Co.. 75. 

Laight, Edward, 177. 

I/iitising, John, Jr., Esq., 
;JU9. 



Latta, Mr. James, 186. 

Lent, Col. Abrani, 183. 

Letter from N. Y. Com- 
mittee to Boston Com- 
mittee, 1T9, 180. 

Lewis. Mr. Francis, 95, 178, 
190, 361. 

Li.spenard, Mr. Leonard, 

177, 196. 

Livingston, Mr. P. V. B., 

32, 177, 196. 
Livingston, Robert R.,Esq., 

8, 9. 32. 
Livingston, Philip, Esq., 

32, 84, 76, 85. 9.5, 177. 
Livingston, William, Esq., 

82. 
Lott, Mr. Abram P.. 177,196. 
Low, Isaac, Esq., 84, 177, 

178, 181, 194. 
Ludlow, Gabriel H., 177. 
Mabie, Mr. Yost, 183. 
JIandeville, Mr. Francis, 

192. 

McAdam, William, 177. 

McDougall, Mr. Alexander, 
177, 190. 

McEwers, Mr., Stamp-dis- 
tributor, 32. 

McEvers, Charles, 177. 

Marslon, Thomas, 177. 

Bleeting. Windsor Resolu- 
tions, 192. 

Miller, Mr. Eleazer, 181. 

Moore, Sir Henry, Gov., 

33. 35, 36. 37, 175. 
Moore, John, 177. 
Morris, GonverneuT, 361. 
Morris, Lewis, 95. 
Newkirk, Mr. Jacob, 180. 
New York, 30, 174, 3.54, 301, 

300, 307, 309, 383. 

N. Y. Assembly appoints 
Committee of Corre- 
spondence. 195. 

Nicholl, Charles. 177. 

O'Callaghaii, N. Y. histori- 
cal collector. 174, 192. 

Orange Town Resolutions, 
182. 

Cutwater, Mr. Thomas.183. 

Palatine Resolutions. 184. 

Parks. Mr. Arthur, 180. 

Pearsall, Thomas, 177. 

Randall. Thomas, Capt., 
177, 190. 

Remsoi), Henry, 177. 

Rye Resolutions, 183. 

Sears, Isaac, Esq., 174, 177, 
190. 

Seizure of ordnance by 
the people. 191. 

Shaw, Charles, Esq.. 177. 

Sharpe, Richard, \7i. 

Sherbrook, Sliles. 177. 

Sluitts. Nuoc, 192. 

Smith, :\Ir. William. 181. 

Stiiith, Mr. Ilendriek. 180. 

Sons of Liberty. 10 

South Haven Resolutions, 
181. 



INDEX. 



395 



Speech of Isaac Low, 178. 

Stamp Act, 174. 

Thomas, Mr. John, Jr., 183. 

Tliomas, Mr. Samuel. 

Thompson, Samuel, 195. 

Thurman, John, 177. 

Trimble, Alexander, 186. 

Tryon, Gov., 175, 176, 190, 
193. 

Tryon to Dartmouth, 175. 

Tryon retreats to British 
man-of-war, 191, 

Ulster Co. Meeting, 185. 

Ulster Co. Meeting Resolu- 
tions, 185. 

Van Horn, David, 177. 

Van Schaach, Mr. Peter, 
177, 178. 

Van Zandt, Mr. Jacobus, 
177, 196. 

Wallace, Alexander, 177. 

Walton, Abraham, 177. 

Walton, William, 177. 

Westchester Co. Resolu- 
tions, 184. 

White, BIr. Hezekiah, 193. 

Wicker, Mr. Thomas. 

Wisner, Heury, Esq., 73, 
84. 

Wood, Israel, Esq., 183. 

Woodhull, John, 195. 

Wyncoop, Mr. Adrian, 186. 

Yates, Richard, 177. 

Yates, Robert, Esq., 369. 

Young, Hamilton, 177. 

NORTH CAROLINA. 

Alamance Creek, 63. 

Alston, William, Esq., Hali- 
fax, 294. 

Alexander, Abraham, 

Mecklenberg. 3JG. 

Alexander, Adam, Esq., 
Mecklenberg, 315. 

Alexander, Robert, Esq., 
Mecklenberg, 303. 

Alexander, Jolin McKnitt, 
Esq., Mecklenberg, 310. 

Ancrum, John, Esq., 293. 

Anson Co., 296, 301. 

Ashe, Samuel, Esq., 293. 

Ash, John, Esq., 57, 58. 

Association of Ladies, 307. 

Bath, N. C, 302. 

Benbury, Thomas, 301. 

Beaufort Co., 301. 

Bertie Co., 301, 309. 

Bladen Co. 301. 

Blount, Wm., Esq., 368, 383. 

Bradford, John, 294. 

Brevard, Eph., Esq., 314. 

Brearley, David, Esq. 

Bright, Simon, Esq., 301. 

Brown, William, Esq., 302. 

Brunswick Co., 57, 301. 

Bryan, Needham, Esq., 301. 

Campbell, John, Esq., 301. 

Campbell, F'arquard, Esq.. 
301. 

Cape Fear, 57, 295. 



Carteret Co., 301. 

Caswell, Richard, 73, P4, 
301, 305, 306, 308, 309, 315. 

Charlotte, N. C, Mecklen- 
berg Co., 311, 315. 

Chowan Co., 301. 

Clayton, Francis, Esq., 293, 
302. 

Cogdell, Richard, Esq., 295, 
301, 317, 318. 

CoUett, Capt., 295. 

Congress at 1 1 ilsborough 
Resolutions, 318. 

Convention at Newbern, 
297. 

Coor, James, Esq., 301. 

Craven Co., 301. 

Cumberland Co., 301. 

Davis, A., 395. 

Davie, William Richardson, 
Esq., 308. 

Davis, James, 310. 

Declaration of Mecklen- 
berg (May 20, 1775), 311, 
315. 

De Rossett, Lewis H., Esq., 
295, 300, .301, 309. 

Dickson, William, 296, 301. 

DQigence, British sloop 
witli stamps, 57. 

DobbsCo., 301. 

DupUn Co., 301. 

Dry, Wm., Esq., 300, 301. 

Edenton, 57, 303, 307. 

Edwards, Isaac, Esq., 302. 

Everigin, Edward, Esq., 
303. 

Few, Capt., 62. 

Fort Johnston, 295. 

Eraser, Jeremiah, Tyrrell 
Co., 302. 

Geddy, John, Esq., Hali- 
fax, 303. 

Gibson, Walter, Esq., Bla- 
den Co., 301. 

Granville Co., 60, 301. 

Gray, Thomas, Esq., Du- 
phn Co., 301. 

Gray, Mr. William, Onslow 
Co., 303. 

Guilford Co., 296. 
Hagan, James, Esq., HaU- 
fax Co., 294. 

Halifax Co. Committee 
Resolutions, 294, 301. 

Halifax Town, 302. 

Harvey, John, Esq., Per- 
quimans Co., 303. 
Harnett, Corns, 362. 

Harvey James, 310. 

Harvey, John, Esq., 297, 

302, 307. 
Hart, Thomas, Esq., Or- 
ange Co., 303. 
Harvey, Benjamin, Esq., 

Perquimans Co., 303. 
Harvey, Thomas, Esq., 

Perquimans Co , 303. 
Hasell, James, Esq., New- 
bern, 300, .301,309. 
Hatch, Lemuel, 301. 



Haywood, Egbert, Esq., 
Halifax Co., 294. 

Haynes, Thomas, Esq., 
Halifax, 294. 

Haynes, Eaton, Esq., 296. 

Hearring, Jonathan, Esq., 
Pasquotank Co , 309. 

Hewes, Joseph, Esq , 73, 
84, 96, 302, 305, 308, 315. 

Hicks, Thomas, Esq., Du- 
plin Co., .301. 

Hillsborough, 61. 

Hill, Green, Esq., Bute Co., 
301. 

Hogg, Robert, Esq., Wil- 
mington, 293. 

Hooper, WUUam, Esq. , 73, 
84, 96, 293, 301, 305, 308, 
315. 

Houston, James, Esq., 
Stamp-distributor, 58. 

Howard, Martin, appointed 
Chief Justice, 300, 309. 

Howe, Robert, Esq., Wil- 
mington, 393, 301. 

Husbands, Herman, Esq., 
60. 

Hunter, Thomas, Esq., 
Chowan Co., 301. 

Hunt, Memucan, Esq., 
Granville Co., 301. 

Himter, Mr., 296. 

Hyde Co., .301. 

Jarvis, Samuel, Esq., Cur- 
rituck Co., 301 

Jenkins, David, Esq., Try- 
on Co., 303. 

Johnston, Samuel, Esq., 
Chowan Co., 301, 318. 

Johnson, Samuel, Esq., 306. 

Johnston Co., 301. 

Jones, Frederick, Esq., 
Wilmington, 293. 

Jones, WilUam, Esq., Hali- 
fax, 294. 

Jones, Thomas, Esq,, 
Chowan Co., 301. 

Jones, Allen, Esq., North- 
hampton, 302. 

Jones,. Joseph, Esq., Pas- 
quotank Co., 302. 

Jones, WiUie, Esq., 301, .368. 

Journals of Assembly, 309. 

Kenan, James, Esq., Du- 
plin, 301. 

Kennon, William, Esq., 
Rowan Co., 303. 

Knox, Andrew, Esq., Per- 
quimans Co., 297, 303, 

Latham, Rothias, Esq., 
Hyde Co., 301. 

Leech, Joseph, Esq., Cra- 
ven Co., 301. 

Long, Nicholas, Esq., Hali- 
fax Co., 294, 301. 

Maclain, Archiliald, Esq., 
Wilmington, 293. 

Macknight, Thomas, Esq., 
Currituck Co.. 297. 

McCulloch, Benjamin, Esq., 
Halifax, 294. 



396 



INDEX. 



McKinney, William, Esq., 

Dobbs Co., 301. 
McCiUlo(,-h, Alexander, 

Esq., 309. 
MoGuire, Thomas, Esq. 
Martin, historian, 7, 55, 57, 

511. 
Martin, .Tosiah, Esq., Gov., 

l-'i),-., aOO, 301, 308, 309, 314. 
lM;irtin, Alex., Esq., 308. 
Mt'cklcnberg Co. Kesolves 

(of May 31, 1775), 301,311, 

314, 315. 
M<'rcury, Cape Fear, 314, 

315. 
Meeting of the Inhabitants, 

Miller, Mr. Andrew, mer- 
chant, Halifax, ^94, ^05. 

Miller, (ieorge, Esq., Dobbs 
CO., 301. 

Moore, Col. James, 'Wil- 
mington, 2!)3. 

Na.sh, Abner, Esq., 303. 

Ne\vl)ern, 57, ^95. 297, 302. 

New iriaiiover Co., 57, 301. 

Newl)ern Committee, 317, 
318. 

Newbern Committee Reso- 
lutions, 317. 

North Carolina. 56, 291, -354, 
302. 307. 368, 383. 

North Carolina Conven- 
tion. 301. 

N. C. Provincial Congress, 
Resolutions of, for Inde- 
pendence, 320. 

Northampton Co. Commit- 
tee, 296, 303. 

Oldham, Thomas, Esq., 
Cliowan Co., 301. 

Onslow County, 303. 

Ormond, Roger, Esq., 
Beaufort Co., 301. 

Pasquotank Co., 303, 309. 

Pal ton, Benjamin, Esq., 
Slecklenberg Co., 301. 

Peun, Jolin, 90, 302. 

Person, General Thomas, 
CO, 301. 

Person, William, Esq., 
Bute Co., 301. 

Perkins, Solomon, Esq., 
Currituck Co., 301. 

Peniuiinans Co., 297, 303. 

Pirt Co., 302. 

Polk, Col. Thomas. 

Proclamation, a, 300, 308, 
309, 314. 

Privy Council, 299, 300. 

Quiiic(% Parker, 299. 

Ralei-,'!! Ret;isler, 311, 315. 

Raiiilolph Co.. 00. 

liiiyner, Nathan, Esq., 
Currituck Co., .301. 

Reading, Joseph, Esq., 
Pasquotank Co., :i02. 

Regulation War, 58. 

Respass.Thonias, Jr., Esq., 
Beaufort Co., 301. 

Kowan Co., 303. 



Rutherford, John, Esq., 

301, 309. 
Rutherford, Tlinmas, Esq., 

Cumberland Co., 301. 
Salter, William, Esq., 

Bladen Co , 301. 
Salter. Edward, Esq., Pitt 

Co., 302. 
Sampson, John, Esq., 

Newbern. 300, 301. 
Simpson, John, Esq., Pitt 

Co., 302. 
Smith, Samuel, Esq., Hyde 

Co., 301. 
Sn^jthwick, Edmund, 

Esq., Martin Co., 301. 
Spaight, Richard Dobbs, 

Esq., 308, 383. 
Spencer, Mr. Samuel, 301. 
Spruill, Joseph, Esq., Tyr- 
rell Co., 302. 
Stamp Act, 56. 
Stanley, Mr. David, Bertie 

Co., 309. 
Strudwick, Samuel, Esq., 

309. 
Sumner, David. 294. 
Taylor, Rev. Charles Ed- 
ward , 296. 
Thomas, William, Esq., 

Anson Co.. 301. 
Thomas, William, Esq., 

Carteret Co. 
Thompson, William, .301. 
Tryon, Gov., 57, 00, 01, 291. 
Tryon Co. Association, 302, 

317. 
Tyrrell Co., 302. 
Waddell Col., 57. 
Warwick, Mr. Anthony, 

20(i. 
Weldon, Samuel, Esq., 

Halifax, 294. 
Whedbee, John. Jr., Per- 
quimans Co., 302. 
Williams, John, 302. 
Wilmington, 298, 299, 302. 
Williamson, Dr. Hugh, 59, 

292, 304, 368, 383. 
Wilmington Resolutions, 

293. 
Williams. Joseph John, 

Esq., Halifax, 291. 
Williams, Benjamin, Esq., 

Johnston Co., 301. 
Winslow, Moses, Esq., 

Rowan Co., 302. 
Wilmington District Asso- 
ciation, 57, 319. 
Wilmington Committee, 

Letter from, 297. 
Young, Samuel, Esq., 

Rowan Co., 302. 

PENNSYI^VANIA. 
Address to John Hancock 

and Thomas Cushiug, 

207. 
Allen, William. Esq.. iA. 
Allen, Mr., Ciinil)erland 

Co., 197. 



Assembly Resolutions, 41, 

204, 212, 213. 
Assembly authorizes Inde- 
pendence, 216, 217. 
Assembly Piotest, 199. 
Biddle, Edward, Esq., 8-1, 

205. 
Bradford, William, Esq., 

44. 
Bucks Co. Resolutions, 

206, 209. 
Carlisle, letter from, 209. 
Cliapman, Mr. John, 206. 
Cheney, Mr. Richard, 206. 
Chester Co., 201. 
Chester Co. Committee, 

206, 210. 
Chester Co. Resolutions, 

201. 210. 
Clingan, William, .362. 
Clymer, George, 96, 368, 

383. 
Convention approves pro- 
ceedings of Continental 

Congress, 205. 
Cox, John, Esq., 44. 
Coxe, Tench. Esq., 367. 
Dickinson, John, Esq., 10, 

44, 80, 84, 87, 201, 205. 
Donaldson, Joseph, 208. 
Dowdle, Michael, 208. 
Dovel, William, Esq., 44. 
Duehr", Rev. Mr., 73. 
Eichelbei-ger.George, 208. 
Fitzsimmons,Thomas,Esq., 

303, 308, 383. 
Franklin, Dr. Benjamin, 43, 

46,87, 91, 96,213,214,337, 

338, 368, 383. 
Frazer, Mr., Chester Co., 

206. 
Friend, Capt., 44. 
Fnvin, George, 208. 
Galloway, Joseph, Esq., 

84, 197. 
Gordon, historian, 107. 
Qreenow, Mr., Chester Co., 

200. 
Grier, David, 208. 
Hart, Joseph, Esq., Buck's 

Co., 200. 210. 
Hartley, Thomas. 208. 
Hartley, David, 214. 
Hay. Julm, 208. 
Hockley, Mr., Chester Co., 

206. 
Hughes, John, stamp mas- 
ter, 42, 43, 45. >J6. 
Humphreys, Clias, 84. 205. 
Ingersoll, Jared, 368, 383. 
Johnston, Mr. Francis, 

Cliester Co., 206, 211. 
Kean, Mr., 305. 
Kidd, Mr. John, Bucks 

Co., 210. 
Kirkbride, Mr. Joseph, 

Bucks Co., 210. 
Lancaster Co. Resolutions, 

200. 
Loedom, Mr. Richard, 

Bucks Co. 



INDEX. 



397 



Llovd, Mr.. 206. 
McCall, Archil)akl, 44. 
Mectiiifiof Jlechauics, Res- 
olutions of, 200. 
Miffllin, Thomas, Esq., 84, 

205, 308, 383. 
Morris, Robert, Esq., 44, 

96, 362, 368, 383. 
Morton, John, Esq., 84, 96, 

205. 
Moore, Mr., Chester Co., 

206. 
BI orris, Gouverneur, Esq., 

368, 383. 
Muhlenberg:, Frederick A., 

Esq., Spealter, 372. 
Northampton Co. Resolu- 
tions, 202. 
Pennsylvania, 10, 41, 106, 

354, 362, 360, 367, 308, 383. 
Pent), William, Esq., 234. 
Pennsylvania Convention, 

202, 205. 
Pennsylvania Convention 

Resolutions, 203. 
Pettit, Mr., 365. 
Petition to the Kinfj, 197. 
Philadelphia Resolutions, 

201. 
Presbyterians, 43. 
Reed, Joseph, 362, 364. 
Reel, Peter, 208. 
Richards, Wilham, 44. 
Roberdeau, Daniel, 363. 
Ross, Geo. Esq., 73, 84, 96. 
Rush, Benjamin, 96. 
Schm.yser, Michael, 208. 
Smith, Jonathan. Bayard, 

302. 
Smith, James, 96, 208. 
Spangler, Balzard, 208. 
Stamp Act, 41. 
Swope, Michael, 208. 
Taylor, Mr. George, Clies- 

ter Co., 96. 202. 206. 
Thompson, Mr. Charles, 44, 

45. 
Tilghman, James, Esq., 44, 

45. 
Wallace, Mr. James, Bucks 

Co., 210. 
Wayne, Anthony, Esq. ,210. 
Westmoreland Co. Meeting 

of Inhabitants, 211. 
Westmorland Co. Meeting, 

Resolutions by, 211. 
Wilson, James,'96, 368, 383. 
Willing, T. Esq.. 201. 
Wyucoop, William, 310. 
Yorlctovvn Committee, 206. 
York Co. Committee let- 
ter to Gov., 208. 

RHODE ISLAND. 
Angell, James, Esq., 165. 
Arnold, historian, 21, 24, 

102, 164, 172. 
Assembly, General, Reso 

lutions, 21, 163, 165, 169, 

171, 363. 
Boweu, Ephraim, 24. 



Bradford, William, Esq., 

109. 
Briggs, Aaron, Esq., 162. 
British Slot)p Cygnet, 23. 
Brown, Moses, Ksq., 23. 
Brown, John, Esq., 102. 
Charter of R. I., 23. 
Collins, John, 361. 
Daughters of Liberty, 24. 
Ellery, William, 95, 361. 
Fort George, 22. 
Gaspee Point. 162 
Gazette, Providence, 21. 
Gorton, Othniel, Esq., 23. 
Green, Benjamin. Esq., 23. 
Greene, Nathaniel, Gen., 

169, 174. 
Hazzard, George, 23. 
Hall, William, Esq., 23. 
Hopkins, Stephen, Esq., 

Chief Justice, 84, 95, 161, 

163. 
Howard, Martin, .Jr., 21. 
Jenckes, Daniel, Esq.. 23. 
Johnston, Augustus, Esq., 

21. 
Katy, armed vessel, 172. 
Lesiir, captain of Cygnet. 

22. 
Letter from New York, 

167. 
Letter to Speaker of As- 
sembly, 169. 
Marchant, Henry, 361. 
Mawney, Dr. John, 162. 
Moffat,' Dr.. 21. 
Newport, 23. 
Newport Committee to 

Philadelphia Committee, 

168. 
Nitingale, Samuel, Esq., 

1(54, 
Providence Town Meeting, 

166. 
Providence Town Meeting 

Resolutions. 163, 164. 
Randall, Joseph, 23. 
Rhode Island, 160, 354, 361, 

303, 307. 
Sabm, Mr James, 163. 
Sons of Liberty, 24. 
Stamp Act, 21. 
Wanton, Gideon, Gov., 23, 

161, 163, 172. 
Wanton. Joseph, Gov., 22, 

161, 163, 172. 
Ward, Samuel, Gov., 22, 34. 
Ward, Hem-y, Esq., 23, 166, 

170, 172. 

Ward, Samuel, Esq., 22. 
Washington, armed vessel, 

172. 
Whipple, Capt. Abraham, 

102, 172. 

SOUTH CAROLINA. 

Ashley River, 04. 
Association, 332, 334. 
Boone, Gov., 63. 
Bradley, Mr. Samuel, 330. 



Bull. Lieut. Gov., 02. 
Butler, Pierce, Esq., 309, 

3S3. 
Campbell. Lord Wm., 333. 
Cannon, Daniel, Esq., 64 
Cantey, Samuel, 330. 
Cantey, John, .330. 
Carter. Robert, 330. 
Cassells, Henry, 330. 
Cattell, Mr., 326. 
Charleston, 02. 
Cheraw, 328. 

Christ Church Parish, 326. 
Coffity, Thomas, 830. 
Constitution agreed upon, 

335. 
Conyers, James, 330. 
Dart, Mr., 321. 
Davis, Mr. James. 
Dealey, John, 332. 
Drayton, Mr. historian, C3, 

326,331. 
Drayton, William Hemy, 

judge, 328, 352. 
Dukey. Edward, 330. 
Dunni, Sylvester, Esq., 330. 
Elliott, Mr., 321. 
English, Joshua, 330 
Exti-acts of letters, 323, 335. 
Frierson, Aaron, Esq., .330. 
Gadsden, Christopher, Esq., 

8, 9, 03, 85, 321, 334, 320, 

337. 
Gamble, John, 330. 
Gazette, 311, 327. 
General Meeting, Charles- 
ton, Resolutions, 322, .323. 
General Order of General 

Washington, 336. 
Gordon, Moses, 330. 
Grand Jury Presentment, 

3-39. 
Hey ward, Thomas, Jr., 96, 

362. 
Hey wood, Mr., 33G. 
Hunter, Henry, Esq., 330. 
Hutson, Richard, 302. 
James' Island, 64. 
Johnson, Fort, Charleston, 

63, 64. 
LambolFs Bridge, 64. 
Lasley, Capt., 333. 
Laurens, Henry, Esq., 331, 

332, 3t)2. 
Lloyd, Mr., ,331. 
Lloyd, commandant Fort 

Johnson, 64. 
Lynch, Thomas, Esq., 9. 63, 

'85. 96, 331, 324, 326, 337. 
Martin, Loughlin, 332, 333. 
Matthews, John, 362. 
Middleton, Arthur, 96. 
Middleton, Henry, Esq., 85, 

334, 326, .327. 
Montague, Gov., 321. 
Moore, Isham, ,330. 
Neilson, DaAad, 330. 
Non-consumption of tea, 

327. 
Parsons, Mr., 321. 
Payn, John, Esq., 330. 



398 



ISDEX. 



Pinckney, Charles Cotos- 
wnrtb, Esq., 3:21, 3U5. 309, 
3S3 

Piuckney,Charles,Esq., 305, 
3iii), 3)!3. 

Powell, Col. George G.,32R. 

Provincial Congress, 330, 
334. 

Provincial Congress, Ad- 
dress to Gov., 333, 334. 

Provincial Congress Reso- 
lutions, 331, 3:J4. 

Eutledge, John, Esq., 9, G3, 
70, S.->, 87, 3;W, 3a0, 327, 
3Cp9, 383. 

Rutledge, Edward, Esq., 
9, 7i;, 85, 90, 321, 321, 320, 
327. 

Singli'ton, Matthew, 330. 

SoMlh Carolina, 62, 321,3.54, 
302, 309. 3!vJ. 

S. C. Assembly Resolves, 
320. 

Sniiih. Rev. Robert, 332. 

St. Philip's Church, 332. 

St. .Jnliii's. Colleton Co.,326. 

Stamp Act, 03, 65. 

Styles' Plantation, 64. 

Sutton, Ja.sper, Esq., 330. 

Timothy, Peter, Esq.. .334. 

"Weyinan, Edward, Esq., 04. 

AVilliamson, Wm., E.sq.,64. 

Wilson, David, 330. 

■NVitherspoon, John, Esq., 
.•MO. 

VIRGINIA. 

Accomack Co. Resolutions, 
282. 

Adams, Thomas., 3G2. 

A<lanis, Richard, Esq., 274. 

Albemarle Co. Resolu- 
tions, 281. 

Alexander, John, Esq., 280. 

Allen. Mr. Isham. 208. 

Anderson. IJenjaniiu Esq., 
Hunover I'o., 288. 

Assembly, General, Keso- 
lutions, 308. 

Autrnsta Co. Resohitlons, 
281, 290. 

Aylett, William, Esq., 288. 

ISalrnain. Rev. Alex., 284. 

Banister, Jolin, 302. 

Berkeley, Nelson, 288. 

Blair. John, 308. :383. 

Bland, Richard, Esq., 84, 
201. 

Botetourt. Gov., 2.59, 200. 

Bowyer, Mr. Michael, 281. 

Bradford, Jolin, Esq. 

Braxton, Carter, Esq., 90, 
288. 

BriKht. Mr. Robert, 280. 

Broadwater, Charles, 279. 

Bnckingham Co. Resolu- 
tions. :l'81. 

Buik'e.<ses, House of, 258, 
201. 

Burgesses. House of, Reso- 
lutions of, 258. 



Bui ke, historian, 10, 55, 
201. 

Carriiigton, Paul, .IS. 

Cary, Aichibald. Esq.. 261. 

CaiT, Dabney, Esq., 201. 

Carter, Charles, Esq., 280. 

Caroline Co. Resolutions, 
273. 

Chesterfield Co. Resolu- 
tions, 272. 

Charlottsville. 287. 

Cocke, Allen, Esq., Surry 
Co., 276. 

Cranch, William, Esq., 288. 

Culpepper Co. liesulutions, 
268. 

Dabney, George Jr., 288. 

Davis, A., Esq., Halifax. 

Delegates, House of. Reso- 
lutions by, proposing 
General Convention, 300. 

Diggs, Dudley, Esq., 261, 
276. 

Dinwiddie Co. Resolutions, 
275. 

Doncastle's Ordinary, 289. 

Dumfries, 287. 

Dunmore Co. Resolutions, 
264. 

Dunmore, Lord. 

Duvall, Samuel. Esq., 274. 

Essex Co. Resolutions, 269. 

Elizabeth City Co. Resolu- 
tions, 280. 

Fairfax Co. Resolutions, 
277. 

Faquier Co. Resolutions, 
209, 286. 

Fredericksburg, 269. 

Giberne, Rev. li^aac W., 
266. 

Gilmer, Lieut. George. 288. 

Glonce.ster Co. Resolu- 
tions, 272. 

Grayson. Capt. William, 
286, 287. 

Greenwood, John, Esq., 
Norfolk, 263. 

Hanover Co. Committee, 
288. 

Harrison, Robert, Esq., 
Halifax Co., 277. 

Harrison, Beiij;imin, Esq., 
8t, 91, 92. 90, ^01. 

Harvey, John, 302. 

Harvey. William, Esq., Nor- 
folk, 203. 

Henrico Co., Instructions 
to Delegates. 274. 

Henry, James, Esq., Acco- 
mack, 282. 

Henry. Patrick. 15. 23. .53, 
54,55, 70, 84, 201,289. 368. 

Henry's Resolutions in H. 
of Burgesses. 54. 

Henry's Speech on Stamp 
Act. 55. 

Ilubbaid, James. Esq., 
filoucester Co., 273. 

Hutehings. .Joseph, Esq., 
Norfolk, 263. 



Iiiglis, Samuel, ICsq., Nor- 
folk, 203. 

James City Co. Resolu- 
tions, 208. 

Jaini.seon, Neil, Esq., Nor- 
folk, 203. 

Jefferson, Thomas, Esq., 
53, .55, 87, 91,96, 261,364. 

Jones. Walter, .366. 

King William Co., 288. 

King, Henry, Esq., Eliza- 
beth City, 280. 

Lawson, Anthony, Esq., 
283. 

Lee, Francis Lightfoot, 90, 
362. 

Lee, Philip R. F., Esq., 287. 

Lee, Richard Henry, Esq., 
72, 76, 84, 85, 91, 90, 261, 
362. 

Lewis, Mr. Thomas, Au- 
gusta Co., 284. 

Lewis, Mr. William, Au- 
gusta Co., 284. 

Lewis, Capt. Charles, 288. 

Love, Alexander, Esq., 
Norfolk, 203. 

Loyall, Paul, Esq., Norfolk, 
203. 

McClenachan. Capt. Alex- 
ander. Augusta Co., 284. 

McC;liirg. James, Esq.. 284. 

McDowell, Capt. Samuel, 
Augusta Co., 284. 

McRobert, Rev. Archibald, 
272. 

Madison, James, Jr., Esq., 
303, 300, 367, 368. .383. 

Marks, Jno., 'Jil Lieut,., 288. 

Mason, George, Esq., 366, 
368. 

Matthews, Mr. Sampson, 
Augusta Co., 284. 

Matthews, Capt George, 
Augusta Co.. 284. 

Mercer, George, Esq., 55, 
56. 

Mercer, Hugh, Esq., Fred- 
ericksburg. 286, 287. 

Middlesex Co. Resolutions, 
274. 

Monroe, James, 365. 

Morris, Richard, Esq., 
Hanover. 2.88. 

Nansemond Co. Resolu- 
tions, 279. 

Nelson. Thomas, Jr., York 
Co.. 96, 276. 

New Kent Co., 271. 289. 

New Kent Co. Resolutions, 
271. 

Newton. Thomas, Esq., 
Norfolk. 203. 

Nicholas. Robert Carter, 
2iil. 2S9. 

Norfolk, Letter of Citizens 
to People of Charleston, 
202. 

Overton, Samuel, Esq., 
Hanover. 288. 

Pendleton, Henry, '268. 



INDEX. 



399 



Peuflleton, Edmund, Esq., 
8). 20!, 231. 

reiidlfton, Joiin, Esq., 
llMtiovei-. 288. 

Powell, John, Esq., Acco- 
mack, 283. 

Prince William Co. Reso- 
lutions, 263. 

Prince Georj^e Co. Reso- 
lutions, 267. 

Princess Anne Go. Reso- 
lutions, 283. 

Rftnsdell, Wliarton, Esq., 
209. 

Randolph, Peyton, Esq., 
84. 201. 337. 

Randolph, Edmund, Esq., 
;.'.G6, 307, 308. 

Reed, Joseph, Esq., 290. 

Richmond Resolutions,266. 

Rol)iiison, John, Esq., 288. 

Ronald, William, 306. 

Ross, David, 306. 

Skelton, Merriwether,Esq., 
Hanover Co., 288, 

Skinner, Alexander, Esq., 
Norfolk, SG3. 

Snuth, Meri-i wether, 366. 

Spotswood, Alexander, 287. 

Spotsylvania Co. Resolu- 
tions, 200. 

Stafford Co. Resolutions, 
27!). 

Stamp Act, 53. 

Surry Co. Resolutions. 276. 

Synie, John, Esq., Han- 
over Co , 288. 

Tithes paid in tobacco, 53. 

Tucker, St. George, Esq., 
306, 367. 

Upshaw, John, Esq , 269. 

Virginia, 53, 354, 362, 367, 
308. 383. 

Vii-ginia Convention, 385, 
291. 

Wasliington, George. Esq., 
84, 277. 279, 287, 290, 368. 
371, .372, 383, 386. 

Weldon, Mr. G., 287. 

AVestmoreland Co. Resolu- 
tions, 205. 

Willis, Mr. John, 287. 

Wirt. William, Esq., 53. 

Woodstock, 264. 

Wythe, George, Esq., 96, 
308. 

York Co. Resolutions, 276. 

GREAT BRITAIN. 

Act of Parliament, 35th 

Henry VIII., A.D. 1543, 

69, 342. 
Act abolishing the charter 

of Massachusetts. 113. 
Act sending criminals 

beyond sea for trial, 112, 

117. 
Ascough, captain of British 

ship Swan. 



Address of the two Houses 
of Parliament to the 
King, 08. 

Address of House of Com- 
mons to the King, 70. 

Barre, Col., Member of Par- 
liament, 24. 59. 

Bedford, Duke of, 68. 

Beaver, British schooner, 
161, 163. 

Blackstone, Sir William, 
329. 

Boston Port Bill, 106. 

Buckinghamshire, Earl of, 
96. 

Burke, Edmund. 

Bute, Earl of, 17. 

Campbell, Lord William. 

Charles I., 55. 

Child, Sir Josiah, 3. 

Chambers, captain of ship 
London, 176. 

Commons, House of, 3. 

Commons, House of. Reso- 
lutions, 3, 71. 

Conway, General, 13, 32, 36. 
40, 41. 

Cromwell, Oliver. 

Davenant, 3. 

Dartmouth, Earl of, 35, 71, 
72, 175, 190, 191, 311. 

Duddingston. lieutenant of 
British schooner Beaver, 
101, 102. 

Fansiiaw, captain of Brit- 
ish ship Speedwell, 00. 

Gaspee, British schooner, 
101, 103. 

Germain. Lord George, 70. 

Grafton, the Duke of, 3. 

Graves, Vice-Admiral. 

Grenville, Lord. 12, 13, 17. 

Halifax, Earl of, 15, 16, 31. 

Hannah, Britisli sloop, 162. 

Hazzard's Register, 41. 

Hillsborough, Earl of, 174, 
197, 321, 338. 

House of Lords, Report of, 
on the Colonies. 96. 

King George HI., 10, .306. 

King George III., Speech 
of, 101. 

King William and Queen 
Mary, 304-337. 

Liberty, British armed 
sloop, 161. 

Lindsey, Capt. Benjamin, 
British sloop Hannah, 
162, 

Linzee, captain of the 
Beaver, 163. 

Lords, House of, 67, 70. 

Lords, House of. Resolu- 
tions, 67. 

Lords of Trade, 30. 82. 

Lords of Trade, Address to 
the King, 31. 

Lords of t!ie Treasury, 13. 

Lockwood, Captain, 176 

Lockyer, captain of East 
India Companj^ ship, 176. 



Mansfield, Lord, 3, 4. 

Montague, Admiral, 161. 

New Castle, Didte of, 13. 

North, Lord, 299. 

Parliament. British, S.58. 

Pitt, William, Esq., Speech 
of, 12. 

Pitt, William, Earl of Chat- 
ham, 12, 16. 

Pownall, John, Esq., Sec- 
retary to Board of Trade, 
72. 

Reid, Capt. William, Brit- 
ish ship Liberty, 161. 

Revenue Act, 219. 

Revenue Act, Repeal of, 
219. 

Revolutionary Provincial 
Governments, 120. 

Rose, British ship, 107, 172. 

Speaker elected, 372. 

State Paper Office, Lon- 
don, 311. 

Stamp Act, 7, 9, 13, 15. 16. 

Swan, British ship, 172. 

ToM'nsend, Charles, .59. 

Wallace, captain of the 
British ship Rose, 167, 
172 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Address to the people of 
Great Britain, 85, 90. 

Amendments to the Con- 
stitution, 384. 

Allen, Col. Ethan. 1.57. 

Articles of Confederation, 
354. 

Archives, American, 146. 

Bancroft, Historian, 7, 10, 
311, 321, 322. 

Beginning of the end, 73. 

Colonial Documents, 39. 

Colonies, movements of,96. • 

Committee to consider In- 
dependence Resolutions, 
91. 

Committees of Correspond- - 
ence, 261 

Congress of 1774, 72. 

Congress of 1775, 87. 

Constitution of the United 
States reported. 309. 

Constitution ratified by the 
States. 371. 

Constitution, text of. 373. 

Congress, Continental, 7, 
242. 

Continental Congress rec- 
ommends Colonies to 
form governments, 242.-^^ 

Convention to frame the 
Constitution, 369. 

Congress of Confederation, 
364. 

Congress of Confederation, 
Resolutions by, 305 

Declaration of Rights, 11, 
70. 

Declaration of Independ- 
ence, 92. 



400 



INDEX. 



Peoliiration of causes for 

takJTitr up arms. H7, 88. 
Dumas. M.. Fruuce, :J14. 
TMnnuiiT, Mr . H. 
Klcrtion of President and 

Yic-t' President. 37a. 
Flc't<.'lior, tvrannv of. 2fl. 
Gape, Gen , 1), 33, 40, 137, 

13H, 139. ^'3-.2. 
General Convention at 

Annapolis, Resolutions 

by, 307. 
Goodloe, Daniel R., title- 

pape. 
ITiclcey's Constitution, 3M. 
Innu'^H'al Speech of Wash- 

iiif^lcii. ."Jsf). 
Indi'iicndfuce. Resolutions 

of Richard Henry Lee, 

91. 
Independence Resohitions, 

consideration of, 91. 
Introiiuclion, 3. 
.TacUsoii, William, 3*^3. 
Kinc William III., 3. 
Iyihe^^y Tree, 17. 
McCali, Archibald, Esq., 44. 



Non-consumption Associa- 
tiim, SO. 

Non-exportation Associa- 
tion, SO. 

Nonimportation Associa- 
tion, 80. 

Paine's, Thomas, Common 
Sense, 21.5. 

Petition to the Kinfr, 90. 

I'resident pro fo/i/iorc of 
the Senate elected, 372. 

Priestly, Dr. Joseph, 213 

" Prior Documents,"' 41. 

Proceedings (if Continental 
Congress, 72. 

Republic. Birth of the, 7. 

Resolutions of Continental 
Congress, 72, 74, 7.), 
76. 

Revolution, English, 3. 

Reply of Congress to King's 
Proclamation. 00. 

Reply of Lords to King's 
Speech, :!01. 

RicWds, Wm. P., 44. 

Rules of Proceedings. Con- 
tinental Congress, 72. 



Signers of the Declaration 
of Independence. 

Signers of the Articles of 
Confederation. 

Slave Trade Discontinued, 
82. 

Slaves not to be imported, 
82. 

Smith, Richard, Esq.. Con- 
tinent;! 1 Cmigress 

Speech of Congress to Six 
Nations, 90. 

Standing army. 

Superior court. 

Talbot, Mr.. 3. 

Thompson, Chas., 241, 212. 

Tories, 2!l(i. 

Vox Pcniuli, 21. 

Warner, Seth, 157. 

Chapter I., 7. 

Chapter II , 67. 

Chapter III., 72. 

Chapter IV., 96. 

Chapter V., 120. 

Chapter VT., 321. 

Chapter VII., 337. 

Chapter \TtI., 353, 



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